Failure. AFCON organizers offered free entry for fans at the Egypt vs. Zimbabwe match as the stands were empty
Kenley Ward
Dailysports's expert
Fans weren't willing to pay for tickets, but had no problem coming to the match for free.
Details: According to Le Parisien, at the start of yesterday's Group B AFCON opener between Egypt and Zimbabwe, there were literally only a handful of people in the stands, forcing the organizers to take a bold step.
The match was held in Agadir at the Stade Adrar, and from the beginning, it sparked little excitement among the locals.
Seeing the disappointing turnout, the organizers decided to throw open the gates and let everyone in for free—a move that paid off. By the final whistle, around 30,000 fans had packed the stands, enjoying a football festival at no cost.
The fans definitely got their money's worth, as the clash between Egypt and Zimbabwe kept everyone on edge until the dying seconds. The Pharaohs snatched victory from the underdog Zimbabwe side in the 92nd minute, thanks to a dramatic goal by Salah.
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