While the rains are a welcome relief, they also bring their own set of challenges including frequent fixture disruptions due to waterlogged pitches.
The onset of the long rains has signaled the end of the extreme heat we’ve endured over the past four months. However, it also brings to light a deeper conversation about the scheduling of our football season.
Whoever convinced the African continent, especially sub-Saharan Africa, to adopt the UEFA season format did a great disservice to our players. Typically, the UEFA season runs from August to May. Traditionally, most African leagues used to run between February and November, which aligned better with our regional climate patterns. The European leagues end in May, specifically to avoid the intense summer heat that can make playing conditions difficult for both players and fans. This practice is a direct response to the harsh temperatures typical of that region during the summer months. By contrast, African leagues have been scheduled to run during periods of extreme heat, putting players at a serious disadvantage.
To be fair, I understand that the main reason for adopting the UEFA/FIFA calendar was to ensure African players based in Europe would be available for continental tournaments. This has always been a hotly debated topic, especially since the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is usually held in January, right in the middle of a busy European season. As a result, clubs are often deprived of their top African talent during a crucial part of the campaign.
Back home, just a few weeks ago, Gor Mahia’s coach raised concerns about how the intense heat was affecting player performance. And rightly so. This was the very reason why most African leagues used to be scheduled from late February to November. Our regional climate, particularly in East Africa and specifically Kenya, has remained relatively consistent over the years. We typically experience adequate rainfall between March and December, followed by an extremely hot and dry period from December to late February.
Now, imagine playing league matches in the midst of this intense heat, with temperatures soaring to 32–36°C in some regions. To make matters worse, most of these matches kick off at 2:00 PM, partly because many stadiums lack floodlights and the lack of adequate infrastructures for games, making it mandatory to schedule games from earlier during the day to accommodate all teams. Even more concerning is that many of these matches are played on artificial turf, which absorbs and retains heat much more than natural grass. Playing under such conditions on artificial turf can significantly increase the risk of heat related injuries, fatigue and dehydration, which can affect player performance and overall safety.
One has to wonder whether the football federation truly considers the climatic realities when drafting the fixture list.
Looking ahead, the federation should work with the government to ensure floodlights are installed in most stadiums across the country. This would allow matches scheduled between November and February to be played during cooler evening hours, helping to reduce the impact of extreme temperatures on both players and fans.
While the rains are a welcome relief, they also bring their own set of challenges including frequent fixture disruptions due to waterlogged pitches. A recent example is the postponement of the match between Kisumu Allstars and Vihiga United in Kisumu. The second half had to be played on Monday after heavy rains interrupted the match on Sunday.
In rain prone areas such as Bungoma, Kakamega and South Nyanza, many fixtures will need to be moved to earlier times to avoid evening downpours and lightning.
In both extreme heat and heavy rain, floodlit football offers a practical solution to the challenges African leagues face. By prioritizing the installation of floodlights and adjusting match schedules, we can ensure safer, more effective playing conditions for athletes. It’s my hope that Kenya, and the broader African football community, will recognize the urgency of this issue and take swift action to adapt our football calendar, putting the well-being of players at the forefront. The time to act is now.