Zuchu demands CHAN 2025 payment after her high-profile performance at Kasarani Stadium, escalating tensions between the Tanzanian star and event organisers. The Bongo Flava sensation, whose real name is Zuhura Othman Soud, has publicly called out the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and local agents for delaying her dues following her electrifying set at the CHAN 2024 closing ceremony on August 30, 2025.
Zuchu’s appearance was meant to be a highlight of the tournament’s finale at Moi International Sports Centre, where she shared the stage with Kenya’s Savara and Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo.
The event, dubbed “PAMOJA 2024”, drew thousands to Kasarani for the Morocco vs. Madagascar showdown, with Morocco clinching a 3-2 victory. Zuchu’s hits like “Sukari”, “Honey”, and “Amanda” were expected to pump up the crowd, but the night was marred by boos from sections of the Kenyan audience, who drowned her out with the national anthem.
Adding to the drama, Zuchu has now shifted focus to a more pressing issue: unpaid fees. In a candid Instagram post titled “Outstanding CHAN 2025 Payment for Completed Performance”, she leaked private chats with LEAP Creative Agency, the firm handling her booking.
“Despite my team’s patience, I have yet to receive the full balance due upon completion,” she wrote, expressing frustration over the organisers’ “disrespect to my professionalism”.
Sources close to the matter reveal she was contracted for a substantial sum, but only a partial advance was disbursed upfront. The controversy has reignited cross-border rivalries, with some Kenyans mocking her on social media, suggesting the boos were payback for past spats.
Zuchu, daughter of taarab legend Khadija Kopa, has long been a polarising figure in Kenya. Earlier this year, she faced backlash for comments vowing never to collaborate with Kenyan artists, a claim she denied amid boycott calls.
Her Kasarani gig was seen as a bold reconciliation attempt, but the payment dispute has soured that narrative. CAF officials have yet to respond publicly, but insiders say the delay stems from logistical hiccups in the tournament’s budget, which ballooned due to hosting costs in Nairobi.
Zuchu’s team has given a deadline for settlement, threatening legal action if unmet. “Artists pour their hearts into these events; we deserve timely compensation,” a representative told reporters.
Supporters praise Zuchu’s resilience, noting she powered through the disruptions to deliver a full set. “She slayed despite the noise, pay the queen!” one fan tweeted.
Critics, however, question her decision to perform amid tensions, with memes circulating about “Tanzanian refunds”. The incident highlights broader challenges for East African artists at pan-continental events, where national pride often clashes with professional commitments.
As CHAN 2025 preparations loom, though the 2024 edition was hosted in Kenya, the payment saga could impact future bookings. Zuchu, with her rising stardom across Africa, isn’t backing down.
Her bold move to expose the chats has garnered solidarity from peers like Eddy Kenzo, who urged organisers to “honour agreements”. For now, the spotlight on Kasarani lingers not on football glory, but on a star’s fight for what’s owed.
This dispute shows the need for transparent dealings in Africa’s entertainment scene. As Zuchu awaits resolution, her story serves as a cautionary tale for performers navigating high-stakes gigs. Will organisers cough up? Kenya’s music circuit watches closely.