Zimbabwe’s Godknows Murwira (L) challenges Harambee Stars’ Austin Odhiambo during a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on September 06. [Courtesy, Standard]
Even as Harambee Stars continues its preparations for the upcoming crucial Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Cameroon, former national team captain Musa Otieno is not a happy man.
Otieno, who retired from international football in 2010, is saddened by the government’s inability to renovate the stadiums in a timely manner, which forced the team to hold its matches on foreign soil.
For the third time this year, Harambee Stars will play at home, away from home when they take on Group J rivals Cameroon at the Mandela National Stadium, in Kampala, Uganda on Monday (October 14) just three days after the first leg in Jaboma. Stadium in Douala, Cameroon.
Engin Virat’s men first played their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast in Malawi in June before hosting Zimbabwe in Kampala in the opening match of the continental qualifiers last month.
This is as a result of the lack of a FIFA accredited facility in the country due to the lengthy renovations at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium. The country’s two largest stadiums are earmarked to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
With Kenya tied on four points at the top of the group with the five-time African champions, and having played against the Indomitable Lions in several matches, Otieno knows the importance of supporting the 12th man in this crucial match. A win at home will put Kenya in pole position to qualify for next year’s continental tournament in Cameroon with two matches to go.
“I completely agree with my former coach Antoine Haye who once said that being gay is normal in Kenya. I never played for Harambee Stars at home, away from home. It is sad to see them continue to play outside the country. We must learn to take responsibility. As Kenyans “We like to talk loudly, but without actions. Sometimes, I lie on my back, but what I always hear is mind-boggling,” Otieno told Standard Sports.
“We know that the CHAN tournament is coming, but building stadiums is the work of the government, not the federation. Imagine that you are playing in Kasarani, and you see your friend and family there, and you are playing in Kampala without fans and where no one knows you. You know with the concerned authorities that is okay, we will understand. But when it does not perform The team, the blame shifts to the players.
While Kasarani, which closed in December 2023, is still far from complete, Nyayo occasionally opens its doors as renovations continue with countless visits from government officials. On the other hand, the new 60,000-seat Talanta Sports City Stadium, whose construction began in March 2024, is scheduled for completion in December 2025.
The decisions had some impact on Harambee Stars’ performance as they failed to secure maximum points in those matches when victory seemed the only possible outcome to the disappointment of their ever-demanding fans.
Harambee Stars slowly dropped four points after drawing with Burundi (1-1) and African champions Ivory Coast (0-0) at the Bingo National Stadium in Lilongwe in June.
It was a similar situation against the Zimbabwe Warriors, who looked more comfortable than the home team, and were thwarted by a goalless draw in Kampala on September 6. Although the Harambee Stars team responded in a wonderful way to achieve a historic 2-1 victory over Namibia away from home. This is the kind of game they could and should have easily won if they had played in front of their home fans.
“I want to congratulate the team for the way they have played so far. For the national team to qualify, they have to have their own plans and for them winning on foreign soil will always be a big plus for them. But the challenge is that if you don’t win,” Otieno said. “Even with these matches, it will complicate everything.”
“But the next day, the boys came back with good results. It’s a question of, how do we support this team so that we can be happy with the way the young stars are going to the World Cup. Besides the political angle, how do we support this team.”
However, Harambee Stars midfielder Anthony Akumu says they are more than determined to cause problems for Andre Onana and co.
“As always, our confidence and morale are high. The two matches, home and away, against Cameroon are very crucial for both teams. “It is important for us to maintain our focus, and I believe that if we continue to work hard as a team and give our best,” Akomo said. We will record positive results.”
