DZWatch Exclusive: As Algeria gears up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, a familiar and frustrating scenario is unfolding for thousands of passionate Algerian football fans. The official ticket sales platform appears to be consistently inaccessible, leaving swathes of empty seats in stadiums despite the overwhelming demand to support ‘Les Fennecs’. This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a recurring issue sparking anger and suspicion amongst supporters.
Ahead of a crucial quarter-final match, the online ticket portal for Algerian matches remained mysteriously closed. While other nations’ ticket sales proceed normally, the Algerian page is conspicuously unavailable, fueling speculation that deliberate actions are preventing fans from attending and cheering on their team.
Witness Testimonies: Frustration and Doubt
Renowned Algerian sports commentator Hafid Derradji was among the first to highlight this concerning situation, confirming that tickets were simply unavailable on the official platform. This pattern has repeated throughout Algeria’s previous matches in the tournament. Derradji questioned the empty seats, asking where the tickets were actually going if the official sales channel was blocked.
Algerian fans, known for their fervent support and unwavering enthusiasm, find themselves in a frustrating and humiliating position. Some have resorted to unofficial resale markets, where tickets are often priced at exorbitant rates, sometimes three or four times their original value, making them unaffordable for ordinary fans. Others have traveled to Morocco hoping to attend matches, only to find themselves stranded outside the stadium with no realistic chance of entry.
Official Intervention: A Temporary Fix?
In response to the growing outcry, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has repeatedly been forced to intervene with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Only then does the ticket platform suddenly become available, as if nothing had happened. This recurring intervention raises a fundamental question: Why is this happening in the first place, and what is being done to prevent it from happening again?
