Fans without valid tickets have been warned to stay away from Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as Kenya faces Zambia in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Sunday.
Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chairperson Nicholas Musonye said some fans forced their way into the stadium during the Kenya- Morocco match last Sunday, breaching Confederation of African Football (CAF) safety rules.
Security agencies have been instructed to bar anyone without a ticket from approaching the gates.
“CAF and LOC regulations are very clear; if you don’t have a valid ticket, don’t go near the stadium,” said Musonye.
Kenya has so far been fined three times since CHAN 2024 began, prompting CAF to cap stadium attendance at 60 percent as punishment for earlier security breaches.
CAF has warned that continued violations could cost Kenya the right to host the quarterfinals, even if the national team Harambee Stars qualifies, and jeopardise future tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
FKF president Hussein Mohammed called the situation “deeply worrying” and a blow to the team’s momentum.
“We are deeply concerned about the fines we are receiving after every match, and this will set us back. It is saddening that we are forced to go back to the drawing board to find resources we hadn’t planned for,” said Mohamed.
“The national team is doing well. Let’s not deny them victory because of trouble in the stands. After CHAN, there are AFCON qualifiers, the Premier League, and more. We need to realign ourselves, adjust, and embrace discipline,” he added.
Fan Zones
Fan zones will be set up for those unable to secure tickets online.
Musonye further stated that all official tickets are sold via CAF’s portal, with physical tickets reserved for guests.
“The only physical tickets are complimentary for guests. There are no government tickets for sale. All official tickets come through CAF’s portal. Anyone selling tickets outside the stadium is an element we must eliminate from football.”
According to the LOC chair, more than 1,000 people entered without tickets during the Morocco match.
Musonye warns that if crowd trouble continues, Kenya may lose the right to host the CHAN quarterfinals, even if the national team qualifies. Worse, future tournaments Kenya hopes to host, including the Africa Cup of Nations, could be compromised.
“Why take that risk? If we misbehave on Sunday, CAF can cancel our quarterfinal match. We also lose revenue, scare away families, sponsors, and partners. That’s not the football culture we want,” he said.
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