With just days to go until the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicks off, Kenyan football fans are growing restless. The anticipation of seeing the Harambee Stars compete on home soil has been met with irritation after the opening of ticket sales was quietly pushed back by two days—from July 21 to July 23.

Initially scheduled to be available earlier in the week, tickets will now be released on select digital platforms, notably chan.mookh. This delay, though short, has intensified public pressure on organizers to streamline event logistics and communication.

Kasarani to Host All Harambee Stars Group Games

Kenya, one of the co-hosts of this year's CHAN alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Zanzibar, will enjoy home-field advantage for all of the Harambee Stars’ group stage matches. Every one of their games is scheduled to take place at the iconic Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The fixture list is already building anticipation. Kenya begins their campaign on August 3 against the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will be followed by a face-off with Angola on August 7, and a potentially explosive clash with Morocco on August 10—all at the same venue.

Ticket Pricing: Affordable but Still Highest Among Hosts

According to the revised schedule, tickets will be available from Wednesday, July 23. Organizers have introduced a tiered pricing model:

• -Regular Tickets: Ksh200

• -VIP Tickets: Ksh500

• -VVIP Tickets: Ksh1,000

While this pricing aims to accommodate fans of various income levels, Kenya’s ticket prices are still the highest among the four host nations. Uganda, for example, has capped its regular tickets at just USD1 (about Ksh129), with VIP and VVIP tickets costing USD2 and USD3, respectively.

Key Matches Outside Harambee Stars Fixtures

Though the spotlight is on the Harambee Stars, CHAN 2024 brings a packed schedule of continental clashes. Nyayo Stadium will serve as a second Kenyan venue, hosting major group games such as:

• -Morocco vs Angola – August 3

• -DRC vs Zambia – August 7

• -Zambia vs Angola – August 10

• -Morocco vs Zambia – August 14

• -DRC vs Morocco – August 17

• -Algeria vs Niger – August 18

Kasarani will also host DRC vs Angola on August 15, adding more high-stakes football to Kenya's CHAN offering.

Organizers Urged to Streamline Communication

While ticket prices are generally seen as fair, fans have called on the Local Organizing Committee to improve transparency and communication. The two-day delay in opening sales may seem minor, but for a passionate footballing nation starved of major tournament action, every hour counts.

The clock is ticking. With less than two weeks until kickoff, fans are bracing for the digital stampede on July 23—and hoping organizers deliver a smoother experience going forward.