‘CHAN tickets will not be sold on matchdays’ – says LOC chairman Musonye

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye has explained why matchday tickets for the 2024 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) will not be sold during matchdays.

Addressing Kenya’s National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Sports on the country’s readiness to host the tournament from August 2 to 30, Musonye explained why selling tickets on matchdays will affect their plans for a better event.

“There will be no ticket sale on the day of the match. If Kenya is playing on the 3rd, there will be no ticket sales on that day,” said Musonye as quoted by Citizen Digital. “This will help people to prepare in advance and reduce confusion at the gates.”

He added: “We’ve learnt from the past. The crowd is always eager to watch Harambee Stars play at home, and if we leave ticketing until match day, it creates unnecessary congestion at the venue.”

Musonye further said, security is one of their top priorities heading to the tournament: “The LOC and the security teams meet daily. Security is a top priority, and we are committed to delivering a safe and successful CHAN tournament.”

Founded in 2009 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), CHAN is a biennial tournament that exclusively features players who are active in their country’s domestic leagues. Unlike the Africa Cup of Nations, no foreign-based players are eligible, making CHAN a true celebration of homegrown talent and local football ecosystems.

This year’s tournament is particularly significant for Kenya, which will be making its debut appearance on home soil. The Harambee Stars will have the opportunity to showcase their locally based players in front of home fans, offering a unique chance to connect the national team to the grassroots and domestic leagues that shape them.