After more than a decade away, the UEFA Champions League trophy has finally made its way back to Kenyan soil, rekindling memories and excitement among football lovers across the nation.
The iconic silverware, a symbol of Europe’s elite club competition, is in the country for a three-day tour from Thursday to Saturday, its first appearance in Kenya since 2012.
The return of the trophy, facilitated through the Heineken UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour, has stirred nostalgia and pride, especially for those who witnessed its last visit when it was presented to the late President Mwai Kibaki.
This time around, the trophy is accompanied by German football legend Bastian Schweinsteiger, a 2013 Champions League winner with Bayern Munich.
Schweinsteiger, who also lifted the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany, touched down in Nairobi alongside representatives from UEFA and Heineken, marking the Kenyan stop on the final leg of a global tour that has already passed through Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, and Zambia. His presence has added star power to the occasion, drawing fans and media attention alike.
The tour is not only a showcase of football excellence but also a celebration of the sport’s unifying spirit. Fans in Kenya will have an opportunity to see the trophy up close and take photographs, with a public display scheduled for Saturday afternoon. While the exact venue remains under wraps, anticipation continues to build across the capital.
Before its public viewing, the trophy was officially presented to President William Ruto at State House on Friday.
Schweinsteiger and officials from Heineken and UEFA made the handover during a courtesy call, following a morning media briefing at Nairobi’s Serena Hotel.
Kenyan football fans will also get a chance to see and pose for photographs with the trophy while it is placed on a plinth.
To cap off the visit, Schweinsteiger is also set to meet Kenyan football legends on Saturday morning in an event organised by the Football Kenya Federation and other partners.
This long-awaited return of the UEFA Champions League trophy offers not only a chance to celebrate football’s global impact but also a moment of inspiration for Kenya’s growing football scene.
