Kisumu still in CECAFA frame, Bukhungu to host opening ceremony

Kakamega County’s Bukhungu Stadium will be the venue for the Opening Ceremony of the forthcoming Cecafa CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has said.

FKF also announced Kisumu County could yet host some of the competition matches amid social media backlash following the last minute decision to shift Group A matches from the lakeside city to Machakos.

“The main venues remain Bukhungu in Kakamega and Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos with Mumias Sports Complex and the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani acting as backups.

“We are still in discussions to see how Kisumu can host some of the matches, and we will announce the way forward once everything has been concluded,” Mwendwa said during a press briefing at the Kenya Utalii College Grounds.

CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye denounced the notion that Kisumu is unsafe to host the tournament and took a swipe at Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for pulling out over such concerns.

“Who says Kisumu is not secure? I’m always there and I’ve seen nothing alarming. Kenyan Premier League matches have been played there the whole season, how many players or fans died?”

“I have told them (Zimbabwe) to withdraw and keep off matters Cecafa. They have enough problems to solve than we have in Kenya.

“They should have told us early if paying for their air tickets was an issue. We are however fine without them and we are ready for the tournament,” Musonye charged.

Zimbabwe withdrew on Wednesday, citing insecurity arising from the current political situation in the country, in the backdrop of ‘resisted’ presidential relection.

Opening ceremony

The two officials also confirmed the opening ceremony will be in Kakamega on Sunday, with Kenya and Rwanda clashing in the opener.

Kenya will later move to Machakos for the rest of the tournament, but will depend on the final venues adjustments.

“Kakamega’s Governor has done a good job. The final will be either at Machakos or Kasarani, depending on some factors we have to consider,” Mwendwa said.

Meanwhile, Burundi was the first team to jet in on Thursday morning, before Ethiopia in the midmorning.

More teams are expected on Friday and Saturday, with champions Uganda the only side expected to arrive on road through the Malaba border.