The last part of the article is the obvious solution to this problem. "Visa-free entry for fans and supporters if they obtained fan identification documents". I am surprised CAF did not work out something like this for this tournament considering how well it worked for Russia at the Fifa World Cup. This was a world cup for crying out loud and we are struggling to make travelling easy for fans in a continental competition.

It's really sad.
I still remember from the first match I watched in the ongoing Total African Cup of Nations, how scantily sitted the spectators were. I also remember thinking, what could be wrong? I hate to hear or see that Africans are causing trouble and inconveniences to other Africans in a time where we they should have each other's back.
First, we were told that it was poverty that was restraining many people from traveling. Now, inefficiency of service and duty is also in the mix.
Really, we should do better. The article suggested some solutions to this mess, it should be considered.