The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has assured fans that ticketing challenges witnessed during the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kenya are not unique to the continent, urging calm and a shift in focus to the upcoming knockout fixtures.

Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Monday, August 18, 2025, CAF’s Head of TV/Broadcasting (Commercial), Luxolo September, acknowledged the frustrations expressed by fans over access to tickets but noted that such hitches are common even in major global tournaments.

“Naturally, yes, but for me, I won’t be very worried about this because it is normal if you have not hosted any major event for a long time. The ticketing issue anywhere else is sometimes a challenge. I went to the UEFA Champions League two years ago, and there was almost a stampede because of tickets. It is not a unique African problem, but it is how you respond to it,” September said.

Swift resolution

He explained that CAF has been working closely with the Kenyan government to ensure a swift resolution to the situation, especially with the tournament now entering its most competitive phase.

“That is why CAF was proactive in sitting down with the government here and saying, ‘How do we sort out this situation?’ You now have an upcoming quarter-final match; it is important again that we focus on the details,” he added.

The ticketing challenges sparked outrage earlier in the week after long queues and delays were reported at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which saw thousands of football fans overpowering security personnel to access the stadium without valid tickets.

This is after they unsuccessfully tried to buy the tickets that had been indicated as sold out on CAF’s official ticketing website shortly after they were announced.

CAF fines FKF

As a result, the CAF Disciplinary Board charged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) with multiple safety and security breaches during Kenya’s CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) match against Morocco at Kasarani.

During the particular match played on Sunday, August 10, 2025, ticketless fans overpowered security agencies at the Kasarani Stadium and forced themselves into the stadium against the guidelines of CAF on security and safety at CHAN 2024. CAF also warned against the use of tear gas at match venues.

“The Disciplinary Board found Kenya guilty and imposed a fine of USD 50,000 (Ksh6.4 million) on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, on Kenya’s football governing body, FKF. Kenya was warned that continued failure to meet CAF safety and security requirements may lead to the relocation of Kenya’s National Team matches to an alternative venue. Kenya was advised to increase security measures by deploying sufficient personnel within the perimeter of the stadium, as well as adhering to the road closures on match days,” CAF said in a statement.

In response to curbing overcrowding, FKF, in conjunction with the CHAN 2024 Local Organising Committee, urged Kenyan football fans to abide by CAF regulations to avoid attracting stiffer penalties.

Fans with valid electronic tickets are requested to go to the stadiums five hours before kick-off.