Kenyan football fans faced major disappointment on Tuesday afternoon after the official ticketing website for CHAN 2024 crashed just minutes after going live. Supporters eager to secure seats for the Harambee Stars’ quarter-final clash against Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, August 22, were left stranded and anxious.
The chaos unfolded shortly after noon when tickets were released online. Within minutes, the system was overwhelmed, locking out thousands of fans. Their frustration grew, especially as the Stars had topped Group A with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Zambia, making demand for the quarter-final even higher.
Why Did the Ticketing System Fail?
Three hours after the crash, official ticketing partner Mookh Africa admitted their system had been targeted by automated bots, which blocked genuine buyers from accessing tickets. “Our team is actively working to stop this so that tickets go to fans, not bots,” the company said in a statement shared widely on social media.
The yellow-colored notice promised that sales would resume soon, but with the match only days away, anxiety continues to rise among supporters.
How Many Tickets Are Available for Fans?
Uncertainty remains about the actual number of tickets sold so far. CAF had already capped Kasarani’s capacity at 60 percent, about 27,000 seats, following security breaches during Kenya’s earlier clash against Morocco. This restriction, combined with the ticketing failure, has left many fearing another repeat of the confusion that surrounded the Morocco game, when tickets were released in the dead of night.
Who Is Responsible for Ticketing?
Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye has repeatedly said CAF is in charge of ticketing. However, with the ongoing problems, mistrust among fans continues to deepen.
As the Harambee Stars prepare for their crucial quarter-final, supporters hope the situation is resolved quickly so they can fill Kasarani and cheer the team to victory. For now, pressure remains on Mookh Africa and CAF to restore order and ensure tickets reach genuine fans.
By Yockshard Enyendi