Nyayo National Stadium is set to reopen its gates for international football after an eight-month closure, marking a significant milestone for Kenyan football. The iconic venue will host the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Uganda on Sunday, 16 March, signaling its return to action following extensive renovations.
Nyayo Stadium Reopens for Key International Fixture
After months of closure, football fans will once again experience top-tier action at Nyayo National Stadium. The venue was last used on April 21, 2024, during the second leg of the 2023/24 Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. However, following crowd trouble during that match, the stadium was temporarily shut down for repairs and upgrades.
Now, with renovations complete, the facility is set to host Kenya’s U-17 women’s team as they face Uganda in the second leg of their World Cup qualifier. The Junior Starlets head into this match with a 2-0 advantage after securing a crucial away win at Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo. The aggregate winner of this tie will proceed to the final qualification round, where they will face either Cameroon or Ethiopia for a spot at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Nyayo Stadium’s Last Game and Chaos at the Mashemeji Derby
The last competitive match at Nyayo Stadium saw Gor Mahia edge AFC Leopards 1-0 in the second leg of the Mashemeji Derby. The win secured a season double for Gor, who had earlier defeated their rivals 2-0 at Kasarani Stadium.
However, the match was marred by chaos after Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo scored the only goal of the game. Frustrated AFC Leopards fans reacted angrily to the goal and a costly error by their goalkeeper, Levis Opiyo, leading to objects being thrown onto the pitch. Security officers had to intervene, using tear gas to disperse the crowd after full-time.
Following the incident, both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards were fined, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports announced that Nyayo would be temporarily closed for renovations.
Struggles for Nairobi Clubs During Nyayo’s Closure
The closure of Nyayo Stadium significantly impacted Kenyan clubs, particularly those based in Nairobi. With Kenya’s major football venue unavailable, teams were forced to seek alternative stadiums for their league matches.
- KCB FC had to move their home matches to St. Sebastian Park in Murang’a.
- Several other Nairobi-based teams shifted their fixtures to Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos and Dandora Stadium.
- The biggest challenge was for Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, who were denied the opportunity to play the Mashemeji Derby at their traditional venue.
The first leg of the 2024/25 Mashemeji Derby, originally scheduled for November 24, 2024, had to be postponed due to a lack of a suitable venue. The rescheduled match, set for March 2 at Nyayo, was also canceled at the last minute as renovations had not yet been completed.
Nyayo Stadium’s Importance in Kenyan Football
The reopening of Nyayo Stadium comes as a major relief to both clubs and fans. The facility has long been one of Kenya’s most important sports venues, hosting key international and domestic matches over the years.
Apart from the upcoming Kenya vs. Uganda U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier, the stadium is expected to be the home ground for future Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets matches, as well as top Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) fixtures.
Ticketing Information for Junior Starlets vs. Uganda
According to tikiti.co.ke, the official ticketing partner for the match, tickets for the game will be priced at:
- Ksh 100 for regular seats
- Ksh 500 for VIP access
The match will kick off at 3 PM EAT on Sunday, 16 March, and will also be streamed live on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Facebook page.
Nyayo’s Upgrades and Future Matches
The renovations at Nyayo Stadium have focused on improving the playing surface, security features, and fan facilities. With the stadium now ready for action, it is expected to host more international fixtures, including Harambee Stars’ home games in future World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Kenyan football fans will be eagerly anticipating the return of high-level action at Nyayo, with the U-17 women’s team aiming to make history by advancing to the next round of World Cup qualification.
With Nyayo back in action, football in Kenya is set to receive a massive boost, allowing clubs and national teams to compete in a world-class facility once again.
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