CHAN 2024: CAF warns Kenya over safety failures during Morocco match

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched a formal investigation into serious security breaches during Kenya’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 fixture against Morocco.

The incident occurred at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium, where a series of safety lapses and disorderly incidents prompted CAF to demand urgent corrective measures from Kenyan authorities.

The governing body confirmed that it is closely monitoring the situation to ensure full compliance with its tournament regulations.

According to CAF, crowd disturbances escalated during the Kenya–Morocco encounter, forcing police to intervene. Tear gas was deployed inside the stadium after a surge of spectators led to dangerous overcrowding near certain sections, causing panic and leaving several fans injured in the chaos.

Witnesses reported that the situation intensified when barriers were overwhelmed, leading to jostling and a rush towards restricted areas.

CAF expressed strong disapproval over what it described as “unacceptable overruns” in matchday security management. The organisation has instructed Kenya’s football and stadium authorities to take immediate steps to prevent a repeat of such incidents, including stricter access control, better crowd monitoring, and compliance with all safety protocols outlined in CHAN regulations.

In a swift disciplinary measure, CAF has ordered a reduction in the number of spectators permitted at Kasarani Stadium for upcoming matches.

The governing body has also prohibited the sale of paper tickets, citing their potential to facilitate uncontrolled entry and exacerbate crowd management challenges.

The African football authority stressed that the safety of players, officials, and fans remains its highest priority and warned that failure to address these lapses could result in further sanctions.

CAF’s intervention comes amid growing concerns about infrastructure readiness and organisational standards in some host venues, with the governing body making clear that it will not compromise on tournament safety requirements.

Kenya, one of the CHAN 2025 host nations, is now under pressure to demonstrate that it can guarantee secure match environments for both home and visiting supporters.

Local organisers have yet to release an official statement addressing CAF’s findings, but sources close to the matter suggest emergency meetings have been convened to reassess current operational procedures at the Kasarani Stadium.

For fans, the reduced capacity and stricter entry protocols are likely to impact the atmosphere in upcoming fixtures, but CAF maintains these steps are necessary to protect the integrity of the tournament.

The governing body’s investigation remains ongoing, and further action may follow depending on the outcome of its review.

The Kenya–Morocco match, which should have been remembered for its on-pitch action, will now be overshadowed by the alarming scenes off the field. CAF’s warning serves as a clear signal to all CHAN 2025 hosts that lapses in safety management will be met with swift and decisive action.