Ticket chaos has overshadowed the build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco, with supporters struggling to access seats as prices soar and official platforms fall silent just hours before kick-off.
Fans now face an unprecedented situation that threatens to tarnish the showpiece event of African football’s flagship tournament.
Problems surfaced early in the competition. From the opening matches in Tangier, Senegalese supporters reported inflated prices and irregular sales practices.
One fan attending a group-stage match confirmed he paid 1,500 dirhams for a Category 1 ticket, despite an official price set at nearly half that amount.
That spike in cost quickly drained availability and signaled deeper issues within the ticketing system.
As the final approaches, the crisis has intensified. Fans searching through recognized sales channels now find no tickets available.
The official CAF ticketing platform displays no stock, while accredited distributors report complete shortages.
Despite growing concern, neither the Confederation of African Football nor local authorities have issued a public explanation or offered reassurance to supporters.
This lack of communication has fueled frustration and uncertainty, particularly among Senegalese fans.
In Dakar and other cities, warnings now circulate urging supporters to reconsider travel plans due to the absence of guarantees of stadium access.
Senegal stands on the brink of a historic achievement, chasing a second continental title in four editions, yet many loyal followers risk missing the occasion entirely.
In Tangier, disappointment has replaced celebration. Hundreds of supporters who already traveled insist on heading to Rabat, clinging to a slim hope of securing tickets near the stadium.
Most acknowledge the odds remain low. As days pass, Tangier’s streets have gradually emptied, with fans departing in frustration rather than anticipation.
Many observers now point to the black market as the central driver of the shortage.
Resellers appear to have absorbed large quantities of tickets, creating an imbalance that favors one section of supporters.
The likelihood grows that the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium will host a crowd dominated by Moroccan fans, limiting the presence of visiting supporters and undermining the spirit of a continental final.
Morocco’s long wait for a second AFCON title adds emotional weight to the occasion.
The host nation has chased this moment for nearly five decades, with its last final appearance dating back to 2004.
That anticipation, however, does not justify denying rival supporters the chance to back their team on African football’s biggest stage.
As African football pushes for professionalism, transparency, and credibility, the handling of ticket sales for this final raises serious concerns.
Once again, supporters carry the cost of a system that fails them when it matters most.
