After an eight-month closure for renovations, Nyayo National Stadium will officially reopen on Sunday, March 16, hosting the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Uganda.
The Kenya U-17 women’s team enters the decisive second leg with a 2-0 advantage, having secured victory over Uganda in the first leg at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo. The winner on aggregate will advance to face either Cameroon or Ethiopia in the final qualification round for a spot in the global tournament.
Nyayo Stadium, one of Kenya’s premier sports arenas, was last used on April 21, 2024, for the Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. Gor Mahia emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, completing a season double after winning the first leg 2-0 at Kasarani Stadium.
However, the match was overshadowed by fan chaos, as enraged Leopards supporters threw objects onto the field, forcing police to intervene. Security personnel had to use tear gas to restore order, and both clubs were later fined for damages caused during the unrest.
Following the derby, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports designated Nyayo as Kenya’s venue for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers, leading to its closure for renovations.
The stadium’s closure left many Nairobi-based teams scrambling for alternative venues. KCB resorted to playing home matches at St. Sebastian Park in Murang’a, while others relocated to Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos and Dandora Stadium.
AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia were among the hardest hit, as they were forced to postpone their first-leg Mashemeji Derby clash on November 24, 2024, due to a lack of an available venue. A rescheduled match set for March 2, 2025, at Nyayo was also canceled just two days before kickoff, as the renovations were incomplete.
The highly anticipated Junior Starlets clash against Uganda will kick off at 3 PM on Sunday, March 16.
According to tikiti.co.ke, the official ticketing partner, prices are set at:
- Ksh 100 for regular seats
- Ksh 500 for VIP access
Fans unable to attend in person can watch the match live via a Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Facebook stream.
With the stadium finally reopening, Kenyan football enthusiasts can look forward to more top-tier matches at the historic venue.
