Why Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz may be forced to play CAF matches in Tanzania

Benson Omala of Gor Mahia and Moses Mudavadi of Kakamega Homeboyz. ©Gor Mahia & Kakamega Homeboyz

FOOTBALL Why Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz may be forced to play CAF matches in Tanzania

Joel Omotto 11:35 - 17.07.2023

The two Kenyan clubs are exploring alternative venues following reports that Kasarani Stadium might not be allowed to host their continental fixtures.

Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz are exploring their options given the lack of clarity on whether they will be able to host their CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup matches in Kenya.

There have been conflicting reports on whether the two teams will play the matches scheduled between August 18 and 27, in the country given Karsarani and Nyayo stadiums are banned by CAF from hosting international matches after failing inspection tests in 2021.

However, while the two clubs remain confident that they might not have to shift base, they are looking at possible alternatives just in case.

“We have sought clarification from the federation and we are still waiting for a response,” Gor Mahia CEO Raymond Oruo told Pulse Sports on Monday.

“We are exploring options regarding an alternative venue. We are looking at neighbouring countries and with Uganda also not able to host CAF matches, then Tanzania is the most likely destination.”

Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula is also waiting for a way forward over the issue.

“We are preparing everything for the match, we are getting the players’ passports ready for the away match. There has been no communication so far regarding the venue. We have a meeting with the Sports Cabinet Secretary this week and those are the questions we will be asking him,” said Shimanyula.

The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam is the only venue in the region approved to host CAF matches and played host to Simba and Yanga’s ties last season as the former reached the CAF Champions League quarter-final while the latter made it to the Confederation Cup final.

Both Gor and Homeboyz might, therefore, be forced to play their matches at the venue while the Azam Stadium has also been mooted as a possibility.

However, Oruo still has a feeling that they might not be forced to shift base after all, giving credence to assertions that Kasarani Stadium will be allowed to host preliminary matches as they are in a different category to group stage fixtures and Africa Cup of Nation ties.

“I have a feeling we may be able to play our preliminary matches at Kasarani Stadium but if we get to the group stages is when we might be forced to look for an alternative venue,” Oruo added.

The Champions League preliminary round matches will take place between August 18 and 20 while the Confederation Cup will be held from August 25-27.

If they make it to the second preliminary round, the Champions League matches will take place between September 15 and 17 while the Confederation Cup will be held from September 29-October 1. Thereafter, the group stages will be held from November 24-26.

Kenyan sides have had it rough in the competitions down the years and most of them do not go past the second preliminary rounds.

However, unlike before, Gor Mahia will have to up their game this time around since CAF have scrapped the provision that would see teams who are eliminated at the preliminary round drop to the Confederation Cup.