Tickets for Kenya’s eagerly awaited CHAN 2024 quarterfinal against Madagascar were snapped up within minutes on Tuesday, August 19, even after a Ksh 50 increase.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) opened sales at exactly noon, but fans who logged in moments later were met with a “Sold out” notice after the ticketing platform buckled under the weight of demand.
The surge was so intense that the distributor, Mookh, had to issue an apology after confirming the tickets were gone. “Sold out. We are sorry, but this event has sold out,” a statement on the portal read.
For many Kenyans, the scramble to secure a seat at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, reflected the rising optimism that the Harambee Stars can advance deeper into the continental competition.
The demand is no surprise. Kenya’s unbeaten run in Group A, capped by a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Zambia on Sunday, has ignited national pride. Ryan Ogam’s late strike not only sent fans into raptures but also elevated Kenya to top spot in the group, setting up a tantalising quarterfinal clash with Madagascar on Friday, August 22. With the Stars carrying both momentum and home advantage, the match is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the tournament.
For those locked out of the stadium, the government has confirmed that six fan zones across Nairobi will once again provide the next best experience. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya hailed the success of similar zones during Kenya’s group games, noting that over 50,000 supporters gathered peacefully without a single security incident.
“The exemplary conduct across both the stadium and the fan zones demonstrated that Kenya can host and enjoy football at the highest standards of order, safety and respect,” Mvurya said.
He added that Uhuru Park, Lucky Summer near Kasarani, Dandora Stadium, Utalii Stima Club, Jacaranda Grounds and Kibera’s DC Grounds will all be open on match day.
“As Harambee Stars advance to the quarterfinals to face Madagascar, I call upon Kenyans once again to turn up in numbers, those with tickets to fill the stadium with unwavering support while the rest of us rally from designated fan zones, standing behind our national team,” he urged.
Madagascar will arrive in the quarterfinals with confidence of their own, having finished second in Group B thanks to resilient performances, including a decisive win over the Central African Republic. However, they now face the daunting task of playing in front of a packed Kasarani and tens of thousands more in fan zones across the capital.
Beyond the football itself, Kenya’s ability to manage such massive public interest is being closely watched. Earlier lapses in crowd control during the opening match drew fines from CAF, but the smooth running of fan zones and organised ticketing for later fixtures has restored confidence.
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