Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has declined to host the Caf U-23 qualifier between Somalia and Rwanda set for May 9 earlier scheduled to be at the Moi International sports centre at Kasarani, Nairobi.
In a letter dated May 4, FKF secretary general Michael Esakwa noted that, “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.
Also we wish to bring to your attention that on Saturday, 9th May 2015 the day you have requested for the match we shall be hosting the Botswana National Team at the Nyayo National Stadium in the same competition.”
“We therefore [take] this opportunity to inform the Somalia Football Federation that in lieu of the lack of getting the necessary Government’s clearance, Football Kenya Federation is therefore regrettably constrained to host the above referenced match.”
SFF secretary general Hassan Mohamed Mohamud had earlier written to Ferwafa copying Caf and FKF that the return leg fixture will be hosted at Kasarani.
Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) has requested Caf to intervene and ask SFF where the return leg will be held on May 9.
The winner of this tie will face Uganda and the team that emerges victorious from that encounter will face Egypt in the final round of qualification for the CAF U-23 Championship slated for December 5-19 in Senegal.
The top three teams at the continental showpiece will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
