Bayern Munich have announced an unusual winter friendly against Ajax Amsterdam in Nairobi, Kenya. The match will be played on 5 January 2027 at the Raila Odinga International Stadium. The planning comes during a period where the team's form over its last five competitive matches shows one win, two draws, and two defeats.
Rouven Kasper, a member of the marketing board, explained the decision. He pointed to the large number of enthusiastic Bayern fans in Africa. The game will be broadcast live on ProSieben and FC Bayern TV Plus.
The journey from Munich to Nairobi falls during the Bundesliga's winter break. The league pauses from 21 December to 7 January. Immediately after the African engagement, the team, coached by Vincent Kompany, faces an away Bundesliga fixture at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The choice of Nairobi also serves as preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
For Bayern, the immediate focus is the top-of-the-table clash against Borussia Dortmund at home. The team's recent form from its last five competitive matches is mixed. Most recently, they secured a 6-1 home win against 1. FC Magdeburg on 28 October, with Michael Olise scoring twice. That victory followed a 3-1 away win at SC Freiburg, where Olise also scored, and a 2-2 draw against Arsenal. The season's top scorer, Michael Olise, has netted six goals in seven appearances. The next competitive fixture is the home match against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday 31 October.
With the friendly in East Africa, Bayern are making a clear statement about their international reach, even if the tight schedule before returning to Bundesliga action presents a sporting challenge.
The original report is at Bild
