Bayern and Ajax open Kenya's stadium – Ballon d'Or Kane in focus

Under the clear sky of the new Raila Odinga International Stadium in Nairobi, thousands of fans gather to experience the first match of the German record champions in East Africa. Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane will take the field for Bayern Munich on January 5 as part of the winter break.

The friendly match against Ajax marks the kickoff of the opening of the 60‑meter stadium and is part of Bayern's international winter training. Both clubs together hold ten Champions League titles and meet for the first time since their encounter in December 2018.

AfCaf‑Partnerschaft und Stadioneröffnung

Kenya, together with Tanzania and Uganda, will host the Africa Cup Nations 2027. It is the first time the tournament will be spread across three countries and the first time since 1976 in East Africa, then in Ethiopia.

Tickets for the match go on sale from November 5 via talantasportscity.com. The event is intended to officially inaugurate the new Raila Odinga International Stadium.

Historical encounters between Bayern and Ajax: The two teams have met ten times in official competitions so far, with each club winning three times and drawing four times; the last three meetings also ended without a winner. Their most recent clash was in December 2018, when a 3‑3 draw was settled after four goals in the final ten minutes.

Bayern and Ajax open Africa's new national stadium in Nairobi

Bayern's earlier appearances in Africa

The club's only previous presence on the continent was the FIFA Club World Cup 2013 in Morocco, where Bayern beat Guangzhou Evergrande 3‑0 and then defeated Raja Casablanca 2‑0 – the first official duel against African opponents. Another match took place in 2020 in Qatar against Al Ahly, where Robert Lewandowski scored a brace.

Although no Kenyan player is yet active in the Bundesliga, Bayern has signed numerous African stars over the years, including Sammy Kuffour, Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson and Ismael Saibari. Current squad members Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies, Serge Gnabry, Jonathan Tah and coach Vincent Kompany also have African roots.

The Senegalese midfielder Bara Sapoko Ndiaye moved this year from Gambinos Stars Africa to Munich as part of a youth partnership in West Africa. Bayern also supports the FC Bayern Youth Academy in Kigali, Rwanda, and the women's team launched a partnership in 2024 with the Petrichor Football Association in Cameroon.

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Man is a keyword that is mentioned in the context of the Ballon d'Or.