3 Former Bundesliga Stars to Feature in Bayern Munich vs Ajax Match in Kenya

Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam are expected to face off in Nairobi on January 5, 2027, in a high-profile football match planned to mark the official inauguration of the Talanta Sports City stadium.

The fixture is expected to attract football fans eager to watch two of Europe’s well-known clubs play on Kenyan soil.

President William Ruto announced the match as part of plans to officially open the 60,000-seat facility, which is among the major sports infrastructure projects being developed in the country.

The stadium is expected to provide Kenya with a modern venue for hosting international football matches and other major sporting events.

The planned encounter between the German giants and the Dutch club could also give local fans an opportunity to see some of the players who have featured prominently in European football. Bayern Munich boast an array of high-profile names, including England captain Harry Kane and French winger Michael Olise, who could draw significant attention if they are included in the travelling squad.

Three players with Bundesliga backgrounds have also been linked to the fixture: goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defender Thilo Kehrer and attacking midfielder Julian Brandt. However, their participation will depend on the final squads confirmed by the clubs ahead of the match.

Kane and Olise are among the Bayern players Kenyan supporters may hope to see, although the club has yet to confirm the full travelling squad. Ajax are also expected to bring recognisable names, adding to the appeal of the encounter for local and regional football followers.

The fixture carries significance beyond the football itself. It will be the first match at the new stadium, which forms the centrepiece of the Talanta Sports City development along Ngong Road. The venue is expected to play a role in Kenya’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

The choice of clubs also has a symbolic connection to the stadium’s name. Ruto pointed to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s studies in Germany and Ajax’s long-standing reputation for nurturing young talent. The venue is being named Raila Odinga International Stadium in honour of the late leader.

Ticket sales are scheduled to begin on November 5, 2026, through the Talanta Sports City website. Prices and seating categories had not been publicly announced in the reports available, while local broadcast arrangements were also yet to be confirmed.

The January encounter will offer Kenya an opportunity to showcase its new sporting infrastructure as the country prepares for a major continental football tournament.

For fans, the prospect of watching two established European clubs in Nairobi makes the opening match one of the key sporting events to look forward to in early 2027.

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