It’s a typical African Nations Cup scenario. While matches involving host nation Ghana have been packed to the rafters, most other games have been played in stadiums which have been, at best, only half full and in some cases nearly deserted.

When Guinea played Namibia in Sekondi on Monday, the only cheers came from policemen and volunteers who were celebrating Ghana’s goals against Morocco in a match being played at the same time.

Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre believes that the empty stadiums are part of the African reality. Few locals can afford tickets, he says, and those who can are unlikely to want to spend hard-earned cash to watch two teams from distant countries.

The huge distances and lack of cheap flights make it almost impossible for ordinary fans from other countries to be present, apart from those who are flown in at the expense of their own governments or team sponsors.

“You just don’t get the travelling fans,” said Lemerre. “It’s a long way to come from South Africa and Morocco and, even if the supporters could get here, there is still the problem of accommodation.”

But could organisers try to find more creative solutions?

When the new stadium in Tamale, venue for the Group D matches, was officially inaugurated, fans were allowed in for free and the arena was so packed that all those under the age of 15 were asked to leave.

Allowing locals in for free instead of charging them up to a month’s salary for a seat seems an obvious option. After all, most of the flag-waving, drum-beating visiting fans you see at the Nations Cup are on all-expenses paid trips, while the media areas are also full on hangers-on. It would hardly be unfair to them.

Egypt, hosts two years ago, used conscripts to fill empty seats while the impressive attendances at last year’s Copa America in Venezuela were rumoured to be thanks to the government’s policy of handing out free tickets to its supporters.

It’s surprising that the television rights holders haven’t come up with a solution, given the influence they exert over football nowadays.

For most armchair supporters, there’s no greater turn-off than seeing two teams kicking a ball around in front of rows of empty seats.

PHOTO: There’s certainly interest in the football. This photo shows boys watching Ivory Coast players train ahead of Sunday’s African Nations Cup quarter-final against Guinea, in Sekondi January 31, 2008. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko