Kenya’s forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast, set for June 7 and 11, will be held at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.
This move comes as both Nyayo and Kasarani stadia are closed for renovations ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
While losing home advantage in such critical matches could be seen as a setback, some former Kenyan internationals view it differently.
Benefits of Playing Away
Former striker Allan Wanga believes playing away from home might actually benefit the team by alleviating some of the pressure on the players. Wanga, who retired in September 2021, explained that playing at home often brings immense pressure to perform in front of a supportive yet demanding crowd.
“Home matches are full of pressure. When you walk through the tunnel to a full stadium, as a player the last thing you want is to disappoint them. Although it’s unfortunate for the Kenyan fans, playing in Malawi will help our players express themselves without that added pressure,” Wanga told Sportsboom.com.
Confidence Despite Tough Opposition
Ivory Coast, having won the AFCON earlier this year, are considered favorites to top Group F. However, Wanga is optimistic that with careful planning, the Harambee Stars can compete effectively and potentially qualify for the World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“The team has spent enough time in camp to prepare. With good organization on and off the pitch, we can achieve positive results. Football no longer has underdogs,” Wanga said.
Recent Successes in Away Matches
Former international James Situma echoed Wanga’s sentiments, noting the team’s strong performances in away matches last year. Kenya defeated Qatar 2-1 in Doha and drew 2-2 with Russia in Turkey. Additionally, the Stars had a successful outing in Malawi in March, winning the Four Nations tournament by beating Malawi 4-0 and Zimbabwe 3-1.
“Statistics show that we have been performing well away from home recently. The team is familiar with Malawi and will not face as much pressure as they would at home,” Situma commented.
Ex-Internationals Call to Government
Despite their optimism, both Wanga and Situma believe the government should have ensured at least one FIFA-accredited stadium was ready for these qualifiers. Situma urged the government to expedite the renovation work at Nyayo and Kasarani for future matches.
“We appreciate the efforts to refurbish our facilities, but we should have had at least one ready for these matches. Fans deserve to see and support the team in action. Hopefully, we will be infrastructure-ready for the next international break,” Situma said.
Wanga added that the government, under Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, should double efforts to complete the renovations quickly.
With former players optimistic and calling for better facilities, the Harambee Stars look to turn the challenge of playing away from home into an opportunity for success in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Source: Sportsboom.com
