28,000 Fans to Watch CHAN Third-Place Match for Free
Football fans in Uganda have every reason to smile after the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) announced that 28,000 tickets for the third-place play-off match between Sudan and Senegal will be given out for free. The game will be staged at the Namboole Stadium on Friday evening.
The exciting announcement was made on Thursday, August 28, by LOC spokesperson Dr. Denis Mugimba. He explained that the decision was a gesture of appreciation to fans for their loyalty and support throughout the tournament, especially as Uganda was hosting CHAN for the very first time.
According to Dr. Mugimba, the move was also motivated by the disappointing turnout during the semi-final clash between Senegal and Morocco earlier this week, which was played at the same venue.
With thousands of empty seats observed in the stands, the committee wanted to ensure that such a scenario is not repeated. By purchasing all the tickets directly from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the LOC has now removed the barrier of cost and access for ordinary fans.
“This is our way of saying thank you to Ugandan football supporters who stood with us during this historic tournament. We want as many people as possible to come and experience this special occasion without worrying about ticket prices or long queues,” Dr. Mugimba said.
The 28,000 tickets are now marked “NOT FOR SALE” and are available for download through CAF’s official ticketing portal. To claim them, fans are required to provide their basic details, including their name, phone number, and email address.
Once registered, they can use the promo code CHAN3RD to secure their tickets without making any payment. Each individual is allowed a maximum of three tickets, and the system has been designed to block duplicate or multiple entries to ensure fairness.
This development has generated excitement among Ugandan supporters, many of whom had earlier expressed concern about the cost of tickets and accessibility to the games.
The LOC has also confirmed that entertainment will begin at 5 p.m., one hour before kick-off, to keep fans engaged as they wait for the teams to take to the pitch.
Meanwhile, across the border in Kenya, fan support for CHAN has been on another level. Despite the Harambee Stars not taking part in the competition, supporters have consistently filled the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and even the Nyayo Stadium, which did not host any of the national team’s matches. Analysts say Kenya has been the most vibrant host nation in terms of crowd attendance and atmosphere.
Kenya is also preparing to host the CHAN 2024 final between Madagascar and Morocco on Saturday, August 30, at Kasarani.
A large turnout is expected, considering the stadium has been packed during previous games. However, there is still uncertainty about whether CAF will allow the venue to operate at its full seating capacity.
Earlier in the tournament, CAF had sanctioned Kenya due to crowd trouble during the group-stage matches. As a precaution, only 34,000 fans were admitted during the Harambee Stars’ quarter-final game against Madagascar.
Back in Uganda, the LOC has reminded fans that although tickets are free, all CAF rules and stadium regulations will still apply. Items prohibited in the stadium will remain banned, and security checks will be carried out as usual.
The organisers have urged fans to arrive early to avoid congestion and to enjoy the pre-match entertainment.
The third-place play-off match between Sudan and Senegal is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m., and officials are hopeful that the stands will be buzzing with excitement as tens of thousands of supporters come together to celebrate African football.
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