Hundreds of disappointed Uganda Cranes fans swarmed the FUFA House in Mengo on Monday morning, hoping to secure last-minute tickets for the much-anticipated CHAN 2025 tournament, only to be met with heartbreak after discovering that all tickets both online and physical had been sold out.
With visible frustration, many fans stood around the FUFA compound wearing long faces, some anxiously fidgeting with their phones in a desperate attempt to secure digital tickets.
However, their efforts were in vain, as the system confirmed what FUFA had already communicated days earlier that no physical tickets would be available for this year’s edition, and that online ticket sales had officially closed due to high demand.
“I came all the way from Mukono thinking I would at least get a ticket here,” lamented Joseph Kalema, a loyal Cranes fan. “I didn’t know it would be this tough. I thought there would be a few tickets left for us who couldn’t buy online.”
CAF had earlier issued multiple warnings via social media and mainstream outlets that this year’s ticketing process would be strictly digital a move aimed at reducing overcrowding, improving security, and promoting convenience. Despite this, many fans had hoped for a last-minute chance to buy tickets in person.
“I’m not happy with how this was handled,” said a visibly upset fan. “Some of us don’t trust the online systems or don’t know how to use them. There should have been an option for us.”
By sunday night, FUFA officials confirmed that the entire stadium allocation had been sold out, calling it a sign of the growing support for local football.
The Uganda Cranes, set to take on Algeria in their opening match at Namboole today.
