NAIROBI, Kenya, September 30-Kenya has formally submitted a bid to host the 2017 Africa Nations Cup on her own or jointly with east Africa neighbours Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
In an announcement Tuesday evening, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed they had submitted the necessary papers to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of the deadline for submission.
Kenya faces competition from East and Central African neighbours Ethiopia and Zimbabwe with football continental football giants, Algeria, Ghana and Mali ranked as favourites.
War-torn Libya declared last in August they would not have the capability to host the biennial African football showpiece since they cannot guarantee the security of participating teams, fans and officials and FKF wasted no time to express interest.
Plans to co-host the event with neighbours Uganda and Rwanda were abandoned with FKF opting to go for it alone.
“FKF views this as another opportunity to bring Africa’s greatest soccer showpiece to our great nation and coming so soon after CAF handed us the right to host the 2018 Orange CAF Africa Nations Championships.
“FKF is in the process of consultations with the relevant stakeholders and government before submitting our bid before the September 30, 2014 deadline,” the announcement signed by federation chief, Sam Nyamweya said in August when CAF invited bids.
Due to the short notice to put the event together, the continental body has cited adequate and proper accommodation for visiting teams, officials and fans, ready stadia and an efficient transport network linking the venues as the requisite considerations for candidate nations.
Kenya were given the hosting rights for the 1996 edition and a secretariat set up at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium but political influences informed the Government of the day led by retired President, Daniel Arap Moi, to withdraw support.
As punishment, Kenya were banned from the next two editions and the event given to newly independent South Africa who went on to win the trophy for the first time with a 2-0 victory over Tunisia in the final.