Organisers of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are allowing supporters to enter stadiums for free after kick-off in matches where the stands are not full, a Confederation of African Football source told AFP.
The Group F match between Cameroon and Gabon on Wednesday in Agadir kicked off in front of near-empty stands, but the stadium filled up significantly over the course of the first half despite incessant rain.
The official attendance was later announced as 35,200 in a venue with a capacity of more than 45,000.
Similar scenes have played out at several matches during the opening days of the tournament, even leading to confusion over attendance figures.
The crowd at Tuesday’s Group D encounter between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium, which filled up considerably as the game progressed, was initially announced as 6,703 before being revised to 13,073.
The CAF source said organisers, in agreement with African football’s governing body, were opening the stands around 20 minutes into matches to allow fans gathered outside to enter without paying.
Filling stadiums is a key concern for Cup of Nations organisers in Morocco, as a successful hosting of the tournament is considered vital while the country builds towards the 2030 World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
CAF’s official ticketing platform on Thursday showed seats available for almost all remaining group matches, with prices starting from 100 dirhams ($10.96).
The only matches listed as sold out were hosts Morocco’s games against Mali on Friday and Zambia on Monday, as well as Algeria’s clashes with Burkina Faso on Sunday and Equatorial Guinea next Wednesday.
AFP
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