Counties fight for Cecafa pie with each angling to host the final

With six matches of the 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup already played, the tournament organisers are yet to agree on the venue for the final, set for December 17.

 

All group matches will be played in Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium and Machakos’ Kenyatta Stadium, while the semi finals will be staged at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu .
On Tuesday evening shortly after the Harambee Stars match against Libya, Cecafa secretary general Nicholas Musonye who was one of the spectators confirmed to Citizen Digital that they were still consulting on the best venue to host the final.

“We want to see who reaches the semi finals then we can announce the venue. Either of the venues we are using now can host the final, but we also have Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in mind.

“In due time we will announce it after considering some important factors,”  Musonye said.

Citizen Digital has however learnt that lobbying by different counties to have the final match staged in their backyards is on top gear, and the highest bidder could carry the day.
Kenya Sport CS Hassan Wario (centre), Sports Kenya Director General, Gordon Oluoch (left) and Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye follow proceedings of Kenya versust Rwanda during their Cecafa Challenge Cup quarter finals match at the Addis Ababa National stadium in Ethiopia on December 01, 2015. Rwanda won 5-4 on post match penalties. Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com
(FILE)Kenya Sport CS Hassan Wario (centre), Sports Kenya Director General, Gordon Oluoch (left) and Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye follow proceedings of Kenya versust Rwanda during their Cecafa Challenge Cup quarter finals match at the Addis Ababa National stadium in Ethiopia on December 01, 2015. Rwanda won 5-4 on post match penalties. Photo/Stafford Ondego/Sportpicha.
“Don’t be surprised if the final is played in Nairobi. Remember the National Government has also contributed significantly in the sponsorship of the tournament.
“The government top brass  can therefore demand to have the final where they feel comfortable to attend,” an official within the organisers ranks said.
On the other hand, Kakamega County Sports Secretary Robert Sumbi had nothing to hide about their desire to host the final, saying they had demonstrated capability to deliver ‘a tournament to admire.’

“Everyone has seen what we can do, very enthusiastic fans and good organisation here.

“We want them (Cecafa secretariat) to assure us that we will host the final, we shall not disappoint,” the CS said on Sunday in the aftermath of the tournament’s opener between Kenya and Rwanda.

Negotiations and intervention by Kisumu County Governor Professor Anyang Nyong’o saw his county win the semis rights, despite earlier withdrawal of the tournament from the lakeside city.
Madeem Muhanad (L) of Libya tackle Masoud Juma of Kenya Harambee Stars during their Cecafa Senior challenge cup 2017 against Libya at Kenyatta stadium in Machakos on December 05, 2017.Photo/Oliver Ananda/Sportpicha.
Madeem Muhanad (L) of Libya tackle Masoud Juma of Kenya Harambee Stars during their Cecafa Senior challenge cup 2017 against Libya at Kenyatta stadium in Machakos on December 05, 2017.Photo/Oliver Ananda/Sportpicha.
Ideally, venues for all the matches ought to have been known before the competition kicked off, but organizational challenges within Cecafa and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has led to the current situation.
Details of what each county is injecting into the tournament as sponsorship have remained a secret too, with insiders intimating different Governors are offering different rates.

Tags:

Kasarani Nicholas Musonye Moi International Sports Centre machakos Kenyatta Stadium Cecafa secretary general Kisumu County Stadium Cecafa final each county angle to host the final Kakamega's Bukhungu Stdaium Venue of final not yet agreen on

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