The CHAN 2024 opener between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and DR Congo was marked by a confusing ticket controversy that has left football fans frustrated and demanding answers. Despite widespread complaints over tickets being “sold out” online, hundreds of empty seats were visible across the stadium during the match.
Why Were Fans Locked Out of a ‘Sold Out’ Match?
In the days leading up to the game, fans trying to secure entry through the official site, chan.mookh.com, were met with messages that all tickets had been sold. This applied to both regular (Ksh200) and VIP (Ksh500) tickets. But on match day, the view from TV cameras told a different story. Empty rows raised one glaring question: Who bought these tickets?
Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye admitted the stadium was not at capacity but explained, “It is standard practice for safety reasons.” He also denied any ticket hoarding allegations, saying the entire process is under CAF regulation, not the LOC’s.
Still, the situation has triggered a backlash, especially after footage surfaced online of pro-government politicians holding multiple tickets. Critics claim this may have been an attempt to limit potential anti-government chants during the match.
Are Ticket Resellers and Hoarders Exploiting Fans?
Unable to purchase tickets through official means, many fans were forced to buy them at inflated prices through resellers. Even worse, some ended up paying for tickets that were already used or invalid. Among those locked out were hundreds of DR Congo fans, many of whom had traveled specifically to support their team.
Musonye stated that by Saturday evening, 46,000 tickets had been sold. However, the visual evidence and public outcry suggest a disconnect between reported sales and actual attendance. As anticipation builds for Kenya’s upcoming fixtures against Angola and Morocco, fans are left wondering if they’ll once again be priced out or shut out of their own national team’s campaign.
By Yockshard Enyendi