Africa-Press – Lesotho. As AFCON 2025 unfolds in Morocco, questions around stadium attendance have sparked widespread debate. Despite several matches being officially announced as sold out, noticeable empty seats have raised suspicions among fans and observers.
Rumors quickly circulated suggesting that the Confederation of African Football had authorized free access to certain games in order to boost attendance, particularly during early group-stage fixtures.
According to information relayed by media close to CAF, the situation is partly explained by ticket resale practices. Some resellers reportedly purchased large quantities of tickets and attempted to resell them at inflated prices, sometimes up to 50 euros, before being caught off guard by tighter controls introduced in the ticketing system. In parallel, the purchasing power of spectators has also influenced turnout, with high prices limiting access for a section of the public.
Faced with reports claiming that gates had been opened for free during the Egypt–Zimbabwe match in Agadir, CAF moved quickly to clarify the situation. Speaking to Moroccan outlet Le 360, sources within the organization firmly denied any free ticket distribution policy at AFCON 2025. CAF stressed that ticketing remains strictly regulated, with no provision for free access, including unsold seats, and that all official information is communicated exclusively through its institutional channels.
