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Kenya pays heavy price for chaos during 2024 Chan matches
Kenya Harambee Stars fans rally behind the team against DR Congo during the 2024 Africa Nations Championship Group 'A' against Morocco at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 3, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Africa's football governing body said it found FKF guilty of breach of CAF Disciplinary Code.
- CAF further warned FKF for the ignition of fire inside the stadium during the match.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) has urged Kenyans to adhere to the tournament’s regulations to save the country from further sanctions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Kenya are co-hosting the 19-nation, four-week biennial football tournament with Uganda and Tanzania. The showpiece will conclude on August 30.
In a statement on Wednesday, CAF Disciplinary Board said it found the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) guilty of breach of CAF Disciplinary Code, as well as CAF Safety and Security Regulations during the two Group “A” matches held last Sunday.
As a result, Africa's football governing body has imposed a total fine of Sh2.5 million ($20,000) which should be paid within 60 days.
Additionally, CAF issued a suspended fine of Sh258, 600 ($2,500) suspended fine.
Hosts Kenya defeated 2009 and 2016 Chan champions, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 1-0 at the 48,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani. Harambee Stars attacking midfielder Austine Odhiambo scored the winning goal. Later that day, Morocco who lifted the Chan title in 2018 and 2020 thumped Angola 2-0 at the 2018 18,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium.
“We don’t want to attract another penalty from CAF. It is not in our interest for Kenya to be fined,” said Nicholas Musonye, the LOC chairman.
2024 Chan Local Organising Committee chairman Nicholas Musonye speaks to journalists at Nyayo National Stadium on March 25, 2025.
“We need the money to help our team and even pay the volunteers. Those coming to the stadium must follow the security measures and CAF guidelines. They should not carry vuvuzela and any other banned items to the stadium,” added the former Cecafa general secretary.
In Kenya’s match against DRC, the CAF Disciplinary Board charged the FKF with breaching Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code as well as Articles 15, 31, and 32 of the CAF Safety and Security Regulations. As a result, FKF was fined Sh646, 500 ($5000) for the stampede and unauthorised access to the stadium and an additional amount of Sh1, 293,000 ($10,000) for the assault on CAF personnel and guests.
CAF further warned FKF for the ignition of fire inside the stadium during the match. In the case of the match between Morocco and Angola, CAF charged FKF with misconduct and breaches of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, and Articles 31, 32, and 43 of the CAF Safety & Security Regulations. The CAF Disciplinary Board imposed a fine of Sh646,500 ($5,000) with Sh323,250 ($2,500) suspended on condition that FKF does not commit a similar offence for the remainder of the tournament.
DR Congo fans rally behind their team against Kenya, Harambee Stars during the Africa Nations Championship (Chan) on August 3, 2025 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
In a separate incident, the CAF Disciplinary Board fined the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Sh1, 293,000 ($10,000)for the breach of CAF’s Safety and Security obligations as stipulated in Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code and Articles 24 and 28 of the CAF Safety & Security Regulations.
The charge stems from incidents during the Group “B” between hosts Tanzania and Burkina Faso at the 60,000-seater Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The CAF Disciplinary Board says that during the match, “fans in the stands misbehaved and broke safety and security protocols.”
