CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars vs Zambia Tickets Sold Out after CAF Reduced Kasarani Capacity
- CAF has cut the Kasarani Stadium seating capacity after fans breached security during the Harambee Stars' CHAN 2024 clash with Morocco
- This is the second time Kenya is facing punishment after they were fined millions of shillings earlier this month
- Harambee Stars have one step in the quarter-final following their huge win over Morocco at Kasarani
Tickets for the Harambee Stars vs Zambia match sold out shortly after CAF reduced the capacity at Kasarani Stadium due to security breaches during Sunday’s match against Morocco.
Source: Twitter
Hundreds of fans breached the gates before Harambee Stars defeated Morocco, and CAF imposed sanctions on Kenya.
This is the second time Kenya has faced sanctions from the African football governing body. Kenya was fined KSh 2.5 million for security breaches in their opening match against DR Congo.
What happened in the Harambee Stars vs Morocco match?
Before the Harambee Stars stunned Morocco on Sunday, August 10, hundreds, possibly thousands, of fans forced their way into the stadium.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
A day later, CAF suspended ticket sales for the Zambia clash next Sunday as a result.
Fans jumped over the perimeter fence, and some feared it could have caused a potentially deadly stampede. Some fans complained that they bought fake tickets sold by vendors who had purchased them in bulk.
Security is a serious issue for CAF, especially since the stampede in Cameroon during the 2022 AFCON edition. At least eight people died during the incident, per BBC.
What sanctions has CAF imposed on Kenya?
After suspending ticket sales, CAF limited the capacity at Kasarani for the Zambia match on Sunday, August 17.
They listed seven serious security lapses that occurred last Sunday and imposed sanctions on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Loss of control, use of tear gas, violent incidents, inadequate police response, lack of CCTV coverage, and other lapses were highlighted by CAF.
As a result, the stadium capacity will be at 60%, which is 27,000 fans for Sunday's clash against Zambia. Only fans with electronic tickets will be allowed inside the stadium.
They have also recommended that the organising committee and the government initiate a public media campaign to emphasize the importance of safety protocols and entry requirements.
Failure to implement the recommendations could result in serious sanctions for Kenya.
Moreover, all 27,000 tickets for Sunday’s game sold out less than an hour after they went on sale. It remains to be seen if the security recommendations will be followed.
Source: Twitter
How did Kenyans react to CAF sanctions?
@Bresee_:
"Me I think they should increase security personnel, and stewards to maintain law and order and everything will be okay...."
@jeromeliberty_:
"Consequences of our actions. I'm actually glad they did not go the other route. Lakini hapa hata Ile makosa ndogo kabisa ifanyike, tutaumia."
@cohen_baron2:
"No way 2700 people can only be allowed in the stadium, just no way."
@KimaniCPG
"Due to our indiscipline. We're like our politicians."
Why Kenya has not qualified for CHAN quarter-finals yet
In a related story, TUKO.co.ke explained why Harambee Stars are yet to qualify for CHAN 2024 quarter-finals.
Kenya has seven points from three matches so far, but Morocco, DR Congo, and Angola can also qualify.
Only the top two from each group will advance to the last eight and Kenya will have to wait.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
