Reporter's Diary: Visiting Talanta Sports Stadium

I spent a day at Talanta Sports Stadium, also known as Talanta Sports City, in Nairobi, Kenya. This assignment reminded me why I became a sports journalist in the first place. With the Pamoja 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) fast approaching a historic tournament that Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania, being inside the stadium made the excitement feel tangible. This is where some of the tournament's biggest moments will unfold, and seeing it up close was truly special.

Walking through the site with project engineers and site managers, I saw just how far the work had come. Talanta is now about 80 percent complete. 

Canopy sheds are currently being installed, seats are being added, and work on the pitch has already begun. Even in its unfinished state, the stadium feels impressive. You can already envision the color and atmosphere that AFCON 2027 will bring to this space..

The experience became even more meaningful when I explored the stadium with former Harambee Stars captain, Musa Otieno. As Kenya's most capped player, Musa represents a generation that played the game with passion, often without world-class facilities. 

Standing beside him inside this modern, football-only stadium, we shared moments of quiet excitement, picturing young Kenyan players one day walking out onto the biggest stage in African football.

We went live on CGTN's social platforms from the site, engaging with viewers and answering questions as the tour continued. The response was overwhelming, with fans sharing their pride and excitement about what this stadium means for Kenyan football and the region.

During the live stream, Musa Otieno reflected on the significance of AFCON 2027 coming to East Africa, describing the tournament as “the World Cup for Africa.”

He expressed confidence that Kenya will be ready, pointing to the power of playing at home. 

"Our players are going to play behind a huge home crowd, with friends and family behind them. It will be an exciting time for the country,” he added.

Looking around the stadium, Musa couldn't help but compare generations. He admired the modern, football-only design, noting how close the fans will be to the pitch. 

"I look at this and wish I could turn back time to my playing days so I could enjoy such facilities," he admitted with a smile. 

As he shared photos from his career and fondly recounted captaining Kenya at AFCON 2004, his hope was clear: that the next generation will seize this opportunity and make it count.

As a sports reporter from this region, covering the build-up to AFCON 2027 feels personal. This will be the first time East Africa hosts the Africa Cup of Nations, and Talanta stands as a symbol of that opportunity.

Leaving the site, I felt proud to witness this journey firsthand. 

As the tournament draws closer, I am confident that this stadium will emerge as one of the most important landmarks in Kenyan football history, and I'm glad to be here to tell the story.

Watch the livestream replay: https://newsaf.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-16/Live-AFCON-s-next-icon-takes-shape-in-Nairobi-s-Talanta-Sports-City-1JYT7xsUvL2/p.html