Kenya's Harambee Stars prepared to face Madagascar in the quarterfinals of CHAN 2024 with high optimism, despite an ongoing sanction from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) affecting stadium capacity at Kasarani. The build-up to the crucial match was marked by ticketing challenges, capacity restrictions, and unprecedented fan demand, yet strong indications pointed to overwhelming support for the Harambee Stars from the stands and across the nation.

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, expressed confidence in the preparations, praising the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for their efforts. He highlighted the match's importance not only for sporting reasons but also for Kenya's continental profile, underscoring the government's commitment to a successful event. To further ensure widespread participation, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the LOC expanded official fan zones across Nairobi from 10 to 13, offering safe and organized spaces for fans unable to secure stadium tickets. This initiative, which included iconic locations like Baba Dogo Grounds, was a testament to the government’s efforts to harness national unity and enthusiasm sparked by CHAN 2024.

A major concern leading up to the clash was the stadium’s reduced capacity. Following incidents during the group stage, CAF capped attendance at Kasarani to 27,000, down from its 44,000 full capacity. FKF lodged a formal appeal to CAF, requesting a return to full capacity, a request the Sports CS confirmed was ongoing alongside efforts to resolve technical issues with CAF's ticketing portal. The overwhelming demand for tickets, which caused server downtime on the official Mookh Africa platform, indicated a rekindled nationwide passion for football after years of waning enthusiasm.

The impact of CHAN 2024 extended beyond the quarterfinal. Mvurya noted that Kenya’s successful hosting and the Harambee Stars’ strong showing had significantly boosted the country's continental image and showcased its immense talent. He urged Kenyans to maintain the spirit of unity and purpose, free from negative politics, as they rallied behind their team. Harambee Stars entered the quarterfinals with momentum, having topped Group A after impressive performances at Kasarani, including victories over two-time champions DR Congo and Morocco, a draw with Angola, and a win against Zambia, making a strong debut in the continental tournament.

The match day itself, August 22, 2025, brought its own set of challenges, particularly for commuters in Nairobi. Police announced traffic disruptions along the Thika Superhighway to facilitate access to Kasarani, leading to several road sections being blocked. This directive drew sharp criticism online from motorists complaining about chaos and economic disruption, especially given the early closure times on a workday for an event scheduled for 5 pm. Measures included diverting traffic from the city centre to Kiambu Road and advising those from Thika to use the Northern Bypass or Kiambu Road. Vehicles without access passes were directed to service lanes. Despite public outcry, authorities maintained that these measures were necessary for smooth operations, with stern action threatened against those ignoring diversion orders.

Beyond Nairobi, support for the Harambee Stars also manifested in Kakamega, where Bukhungu Stadium was transformed into a fan zone. The County Government of Kakamega, through its Department of Sports and Youth, set up a large digital screen for locals to watch the quarter-final clash. This initiative, part of Governor Fernandes Barasa's commitment to promoting sports, offered an engaging environment for fans. Bukhungu Stadium, having recently hosted regional games and undergoing renovation, is also slated to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.

The atmosphere at Kasarani Stadium was electric on Friday evening as fans, many having overcome