Uncertainty linger for Gor Mahia, Leopards title run-in as Nyayo, Kasarani stadium set for closure

In the midst of the crisis, AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani turned the spotlight on the country’s two storied clubs, urging them to step out of their comfort zones and build their own stadiums and training grounds. He warned that dependence on government infrastructure has become a major handicap.

Speaking amid growing uncertainty over access to Nyayo and Kasarani ahead of AFCON renovations, Ambani said the imminent closure of the two venues will leave the country’s most supported clubs stranded and exposed.

“It is high time both clubs and their fans move from their comfort zones and make it count in Kenyan football,” Ambani said. “The government is moving closer to shutting down Nyayo and Kasarani for AFCON, and that leaves the two clubs without a place to call their own home.”

Nyayo and Kasarani, traditionally regarded as home grounds for AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, are expected to close in early March to allow for major upgrades as Kenya prepares to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations.

Once the renovations begin, both clubs will be forced to seek alternative venues, disrupting fixtures, revenues and identity. Ambani said the situation highlights a long-standing failure by the two giants to plan for the future despite their massive followings.

“It’s just simple in life,” he said. “When you have your own thatched house, nobody will tell you what time to wake up or sleep. You’ll do what you want without any worry.”

Founded in 1964 and 1968 respectively, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia remain the most successful and popular clubs in the country.

Between them, they command millions of supporters across Kenya and the diaspora. Yet, Ambani noted, neither club owns a stadium or a proper modern training facility.

“In early March, the two prominent stadiums associated with these clubs will close down for AFCON renovations,” he said. “That imminent closure leaves the two top clubs without a roof. It is time we came out clearly on what we want as the two biggest clubs in this country.”

Ambani said the lack of infrastructure is not just an inconvenience but a reflection of misplaced priorities within Kenyan football, where talk and rivalry have often overshadowed long-term investment.

“To make things worse, the two clubs have not invested in their own proper training facilities,” he said. “Yet they command a fan base that runs into millions and millions of people.”

The AFC Leopards chairman did not hide his frustration as he compared the situation to smaller clubs that have already taken decisive steps.

“It is quite shameful that Murang’a Seal have their own Sebastian Park, done by an individual,” Ambani said. “We have the masses, we have the numbers, but we can’t turn our fan base into something to be feared and respected around the world.”

Ambani argued that ownership of infrastructure would not only give clubs independence but also elevate standards across the league, from player preparation to matchday organisation and commercial appeal.

“My urgent cry is to the fans of both clubs and to corporate firms around the nation, private firms and well-wishers,” he said. “It is time to stand and be counted.”

He called on supporters to rethink what backing a club truly means, insisting that loyalty must go beyond chanting in the terraces or online debates.

“You have a choice,” Ambani said. “Be part of history in the making of the club you support.”

The chairman said modern football no longer rewards sentiment alone, noting that clubs across Africa and beyond are increasingly defined by their assets, not just their past glories.

“If we want to compete seriously, if we want respect, we must invest,” he said. “Comfort zones will not take us anywhere.”

As Kenyan football braces for disruption due to AFCON preparations, Ambani’s remarks have reignited debate over whether the country’s biggest clubs are ready to take responsibility for their future.

For AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, the coming months may prove decisive. With their traditional homes set to close, the absence of a fallback plan threatens to expose years of inaction. Ambani’s message is clear: history alone is no longer enough — ownership is the next frontier.