The Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, which played host to the intense encounter between Algeria and Angola on Monday, appeared to offer free entry, presenting a seemingly generous gesture to fans. However, beneath the facade of declared gratuity lies a significant scandal, labeled as “the AFCON 2023 ticket affair.”
The supposed complimentary entry to the stadium has become a smokescreen, concealing a web of controversies surrounding the distribution and pricing of tickets in this 34th edition of AFCON 2023.
To grasp the full narrative, a retrospective examination is required, tracing back to the days preceding the commencement of the tournament.
On January 11, 2024, journalists who faced accreditation challenges sought to purchase tickets for access to the Ebimpe Stadium for the opening match.
To their surprise, they were informed, “All tickets are sold. No tickets are available elsewhere, even for the other matches.” This message, unsettling to the journalists, did not immediately signify a disruption to the impending success of AFCON.
The stadium appeared packed during the inaugural match, raising hopes for a vibrant tournament. Unfortunately, the apparent spectacle belied the underlying issues.
On the day of the opening fixture, it was revealed that the Ebimpe Stadium, despite hosting Ivory Coast, was far from full. Of the 60,000 available seats, only 38,000 were occupied.
Concerns escalated, prompting organizers to release a press statement explaining the situation. However, Africa Foot United delved deeper into the matter, seeking insights from the affected populace.
The Africa Foot United team engaged with supporters at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, uncovering startling revelations.
Anonymous interviews with fans exposed a range of experiences, including some who paid despite the proclaimed gratuity, others who were swindled, and those fortunate enough to enter for free.
Koffi, one such fan, lamented, “It was around 5 p.m. when I arrived there. Once near the stadium, I call the person who will give me my ticket, he lets me know that entry is free.
I managed to get in. But, my 10,000 FCFA went up in smoke.” Another supporter, Kouamé, shared, “They took 15,000 FCFA from me for a ticket that I never saw.”
The complexity deepens with reports of ticket prices doubling on the black market.
The inconsistency in ticket distribution, pricing, and the evident disparity among spectators has raised serious concerns, casting a shadow over the integrity of the ticketing system for AFCON 2023.
As investigations unfold, the scandal threatens to mar the fan experience, demanding accountability and transparency from the organizers.
