NSL side MCF to use Kenyatta Stadium as home ground

The 10,000-seater facility is coming to life again for sports use since it was converted into a temporary hospital for mass testing and isolation at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

The Yatta-based side, which are playing their second successive season in the second tier league, host leaders Shabana Wednesday 3PM, and they hope the local fans support will change their fortunes in the league.

They lie tenth on the NSL table with 16 points, 13 adrift of the leaders Shabana after 13 rounds.

“We’re really happy that now we can play in Machakos because our big fan base is in this county and it beats logic to play our home matches outside Machakos yet we need our fans to attend and enjoy our football.

“This step will go a long way in boosting our chances to play in the FKF-Premier League because fans form an integral part in the success of a club. It will be easy to access the stadium whenever we are in action unlike previous matches where we would travel all the way to Thika Municipal Stadium to play our home matches,” said the club’s team manager Joseph Kimeu.

Kimeu’s sentiments were echoed by the FKF National Executive Member Anthony Makau who added that the team has been disadvantaged when playing home matches outside Machakos.

“We’ve been engaging the county government and I’m glad they’ve acted upon our request. This is a win-win situation to both the county government and also the team which seeks to write history by becoming the first side to play in the top-tier league from the region.

“We hope fans will be turning up in large numbers to ensure the team grows and achieves its target.”

Machakos County Sports Minister Onesmus Muasya however said the stadium, which before its closure was the most overused facility, will need some renovation after bearing the brunt for hosting too many matches before it was turned to a make-shift hospital.

In 2019, a total of 380 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches were played and out of this 112 were staged at the Kenyatta Stadium making it the most overused facility in the period.

“The facility is now open for use and is in good shape but as the sports department we will do some renovations. We want to ensure it’s not used for a few weeks then we close it.

“Supporting sports in the county was one of the most important agendas for our governor, and the way we supported Kwanthanze volleyball team we’re also supporting MCF by ensuring that they use Kenyatta Stadium as their home ground. This will boost their chances to play in KPL and in return the residents will also benefit economically,” said Muasya.

The facility is also set to host the returning Masaku Sevens rugby tournament from April 7 to 9. The championship returns in form of a memorial tournament in remembrance of the late Kenya Sevens legend Benjamin Ayimba.