NAIROBI, April 5 – Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has declined to host the Caf U-23 qualifier between Somalia and Rwanda that was set for May 9 at Nairobi’s Moi International sports center at Kasarani.
In a letter dated May 4, FKF secretary general Michael Esakwa revealed Kenya could not host the return-leg due to insecurity in the region and also the national under-23 side will be in action against Botswana, seeking to overturn a 3-0 deficit they suffered in the opening leg.
“Following your national association’s (Somalia) letter dated 14th April 2015 requesting to play the above return leg match in Kenya, our federation has been willing to host your team on the weekend of 9th/10th May 2015.
Arising from the security situation in our region, it is mandatory that we must get clearance from the Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We therefore (take) this opportunity to inform the Somalia Football Federation(SFF) that in lieu of the lack of getting the necessary Government’s clearance, FKF is therefore regrettably constrained to host the above referenced match,” part of the letter read.
SFF secretary general Hassan Mohamed Mohamud had earlier written to Rwandan Football Federation (Ferwafa) copying CAF and FKF that the second-leg will be hosted at Kasarani.
Following the development, Ferwafa has requested CAF to intervene as the fate of the match remains uncertain.
The winner of this tie will face Uganda whilst the team that emerges victorious from that encounter will face Egypt in the final round of qualification for the Championship slated for December 5-19 in Senegal.
The top three teams at the continental showpiece will qualify for Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
