After the successful hosting of the last two editions of the Cecafa Senior challenge Cup, Tanzania will pass the baton to Kenya who were appointed to host the 2012 edition of the event. Uganda won the 2011 edition after edging out Rwanda 3-2 on post-match penalties to lift the trophy for the 12th time.
When awarding Kenya the rights , Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye indicated that Kisumu’s Moi stadium which is in dilapidated state will host some of the matches. This leaves the host country with less than eleven months to refurbish the stadium but there should be comfort after FIFA identified the facility as the next beneficiary of the goal project. The government has also expressed willingness in supporting the uplifting of the facility.
In 2009 when Kenya hosted the tournament, Nyayo stadium was overused and the heavy rains made the final matches an ugly spectacle as the playing surface was muddy and uneven.
Kenya’s best stadium, Kasarani should also be available for the tournament thus meaning the organizers have abundant choices for the match venues. City Stadium also could provide a great venue but the terraces and dressing rooms need serious makeover.
After pumping $450,000 in this year’s tournament, sponsors Tusker will also be hoping for a better turnout than that witnessed in Tanzania and Kenya in the last three events. In 2009, Musonye blurted out in the media “Kenyans don’t love football! They just like gossiping and drinking beer in bars during football matches!” This was in reference to the low turnout witnessed during the Nairobi event.
From the look of things, the 2011 tournament was no different as some matches e.g. Kenya vs Sudan hand only a handful of spectators in the stadium.
The progress of the home team will be crucial to the fans attendance. In 2009, two goals, inside four minutes, late in the match from James Chamanga and Felix Sunzu led to a surprise loss for hosts Kenya against Zambia in the opening match. A loss in the quarter finals against Uganda Cranes made Kenyans interest in the tournament hit a low end.
In 2012, the organizers will be hoping that Kenya will come out of its shell and deliver in the oldest tournament in Africa. It’s time to get things rolling.
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