The Confederations of Africa Football [CAF] President Patrice Motsepe has praised the cordial relationship between Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa and the Kenyan Head of State President William Ruto and the national government terming it as ‘good for football’.
Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Monday 16th September, 2024, Motsepe shared that after meeting President Ruto at State House, Nairobi, he was truly impressed with the strong relationship that he witnessed between the Head of State and FKF President Nick Mwendwa.
Motsepe, who was addressing the state of sports infrastructure in the country noted that every time he meets with any head of state, CAF seeks to partner with governments to improve stadiums and the relations between Mwendwa and President Ruto was an indication that the Kenyan President loves sports and is committed to solve the problems affecting sports and particularly football.
“I am excited to share that we had a meeting earlier today with President Ruto and I am truly impressed by the strong relationship between President Nick (Mwendwa) and the Kenyan government,” Motsepe said.
“Every time I meet with Presidents I try to get ways for us to work together and develop football and from the relationship I witnessed between President Ruto and President Nick, Kenya is at an advantageous position to get good stadiums,” the CAF boss added.
President Ruto was at the fore front when he commissioned former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and FKF President Nick Mwendwa to spearhead Kenya’s bid to co-host the 2027 AFCON besides setting aside funds to construct a new stadium-Talanta Hela Complex- as well as carry out major renovations at Kasarani Stadium in preparations for the 2027 AFCON that will be jointly hosted in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Motsepe noted that countries playing their home CAF and FIFA fixtures away from home was frustrating and building proper CAF and FIFA standard stadiums was the only remedy which can only be achieved if the local federation works in synch with the national government and with the FKF president enjoying a cordial relationship with the Head of State, Kenya has a good standing to get the stadiums headache sorted.
“You cannot develop football in Africa if the National team or clubs do not play in front of their nations (home fans) and that is why the passion of President Ruto and his commitment makes me so proud.
When I visited Talanta Stadium, they told me that President Ruto himself was there recently to inspect the ongoing construction so Im very clear that we have made good progress. The relationship between Nick and the government, I am very happy about it because in every country that I go, the emphasis is lets work together to make sure that we have at least one good stadium at FIFA and CAF standards and I am happy that the President is working well with FKF,” Mostepe said.
The CAF President Motsepe was speaking to the Media after leading a CAF Executive Committee meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya.