Kenyan fans intending to attend Sunday’s clash between Harambee Stars and Zambia have been warned to keep off Kasarani Stadium if they do not have a ticket.
African Nations Championship (CHAN) Local Organising Committee chairperson Nicholas Musonye stressed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rules are clear that only ticket holders are permitted near match venues.
Musonye expressed concern that any misconduct could jeopardise Kenya’s chances of hosting the tournament’s quarter-final matches.
“The risks are very high since Kenya has already been fined three times,” he said.
“If we misbehave on Sunday, the Kenyan quarter-final match could be moved to another country. That would be a huge loss for us as a nation. Future competitions which FKF is bidding for, apart from AfCON, could also be compromised.”
Musonye said Tuesday when he addressed the press.
This follows the move by CAF to limit the number of spectators allowed at Kasarani stadium to 27,000 from 48, 000 and ban paper tickets after security lapses during the Kenya versus Morocco match.
The LOC chair further warned that any violence and crowd trouble could cause other risks.
He said this would scare away families, reduce attendance, lower football’s appeal, and frighten off sponsors.
“If I am a fan and I want to come with my children, but there is violence every day, I will not come. That means the spirit of football goes down, income goes down, and partners pull out because of bad behaviour,” he said.
Musonye also dismissed claims that government officials have access to special tickets, clarifying that CAF exclusively handles ticket sales.
He urged fans to report anyone selling tickets outside the stadium, warning that such sellers are “illegal elements.”
The chairperson urged fans to purchase tickets from authorised vendors online and arrive at the stadium five hours before match kick-off.
On the breach of security witnessed during the last match, Musonye explained that police were under instructions not to harass fans to avoid casualties.
“If the police were to use force, we would have casualties, and that is what we are avoiding. That is why police are very soft this time round,” he said.
He, however, called on security officers to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of all attendees.
