CHAN 2024: Ticket Sales Suspended after Major Security Breaches at Kasarani Stadium
- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended CHAN 2024 ticket sales for the games scheduled for Kasarani Stadium
- Major chaotic scenes were witnessed during Kenya's game against Morocco on August 10, with fans storming the stadium
- All ticket sales of Kasarani games, including Kenya's last game vs Zambia, have been taken down from the official ticket seller
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended ticket sales at Kasarani Stadium until further notice following the security breaches witnessed on Sunday.
Source: UGC
Harambee Stars beat Morocco by a solitary goal from Ryan Ogam to stun the pre-tournament favourites at a packed Kasarani Stadium.
The brilliant result from Benni McCarthy's men was, however, overshadowed by the chaos outside the stadium.
Hundreds of fans accessed the stadium without ticket verification. Pictures and videos online showed fans jumping over the walls and barricades as they overwhelmed security authorities.
There have been widespread claims of unscrupulous dealings with many hoarding tickets and reselling them at higher prices on match day. Some of the tickets were sold to more than one person, which renders them ineffective once one person has already used them.
The boiling frustrations led to a massive security breach, contrary to CAF's rules of Safety and Regulations.
Why Kenya vs Zambia ticket sales have been suspended
Kenyans woke up to surprising messages online indicating that the tickets for the game had been sold out already, despite previous communication that they would go on sale on August 12.
Jahmu asked,
"Has anyone actually managed to buy tickets for Zambia vs Kenya online? Cause MookhAfrica said tickets would go live today at 7 pm. Before 7 ifike the site changed & said tickets would go live on 12th August. Now apparently, tickets are sold out one week before the game?? "
Mmburu said,
"I’ve tried buying tickets for Zambia vs Kenya at http://mookh.com. At 10th August 7.11 pm, naambiwa ningoje 12th August. Alafu 10th August 9.12, naambiwa sales ziliisha at 9 pm. Hii ni tabia gani kusema ukweli mnaongelea digital ticketing na tickets zote zinatoka backdoor."
It has now emerged that CAF has frozen ticket sales for all the games that will be held at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, including Kenya's last group game against Zambia.
TUKO.co.ke has reached out to the official ticket seller, Mookh.com, for comment.
Further explanation from journalist Kevin Teya reports that CAF took note of the fans' invasion, including breaching the media centre, the use of teargas, among other things.
Which CHAN 2024 tickets can one buy?
A spot check on Mookh.com by TUKO.co.ke shows that only games at Nyayo Stadium are still up on the site.
Source: UGC
Kenya's game vs Zambia and Thursday's game pitting Angola and DR Congo at Kasarani Stadium are no longer on the site.
CAF rules on ticketing verification
The governing body requires all the tickets to be verified by the authorities in the respective countries before admission.
"Spectators’ entry into the stadium shall be granted on the basis of ticket presentation by the spectator. It is forbidden under this regulation for spectators to be allowed to access the stadium without tickets. All spectators must present the valid match ticket before they can be granted access into the stadium. No access shall be granted to spectators without the use of tickets," reads part of article 15 of the CAF Safety and Regulations.
Harambee Stars are yet to seal qualification and only need a point to secure progression to the next round in that match.
The Angola vs DR Congo game could also determine if Kenya could qualify for the quarter-finals without kicking a ball. Should Angola drop points, Kenya will be through.
Possible teams Kenya could face in CHAN 2024 quarter-finals
McCarthy's focus will be to finish on top of their group to ensure they play their quarter-final match in Nairobi.
Whoever wins Group A plays number two of Group B in Nairobi, while the second-placed in Group A plays Group B's winner in Dar es Salaam.
We looked at the permutations and compiled the possible teams Kenya could face.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
