December 31 – Kenya is to bid to host the 2016 African Cup of Nations, pitting itself against Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal and Zimbabwe, it has announced.
Kenya had been awarded the 1996 tournament by the Confederation of African Football (CAN) but withdrew because of financial problems and lack of preparations and the event was instead awarded to South Africa, who used to showcase their bid for the 2006 World Cup.
South Africa lost the rights to host that event to Germany but were subsequently awarded the 2010 World Cup.
Football Kenya Limited (FKL) claim that they are now ready to host the continent’s biggest event.
Mohamed Hatimy, the chairman of FLK, said: ”We sent our secretary general Mohammed Thabit to place our bid to CAF at the weekend.
“We stand a greater chance compared to other applicants because we have good infrastructure.”
Angola will host the 2010 tournament, which opens on January 10, Equatorial Guinea the 2012 event and Libya the 2014 edition.
Nigeria is the reserve host for all three events, should any of the host countries fail to meet CAF requirements.
CAF requires hosting nations to have at least four FIFA-recognised stadiums with a capacity to host at least 30, 000 fans and a guaranteed security during the event.
Hatimy said: ”Apart from Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium, we have City Stadium, Mombasa Stadium and Kisumu’s Moi Stadium which we can renovate to host teams.”
Hatimy admitted leadership wrangles in the local federation could be the main stumbling block to the country’s bid.
At the moment there are two factions claiming they run football in the country.
FKL have the backing of world football governing body FIFA and only runs the national team and Kenyan Premier League, while their rivals Kenya Football Federation are recognised by the Government and are in charge of grassroot football.
Kenya’s Commissioner of Sports Gordon Oluoch said the Government was fully behind the bidding but warned that the domestic squabbles needed to be sorted out before it could proceed.