DPA/Agencies
Nairobi/Berlin
At least eight people have reportedly died in a crush around Monday’s Africa Cup of Nations pre-quarter-final in Yaounde between hosts Cameroon and Comores.
Reports also said that 38 people were injured when a large number of people tried to gain entry into the stadium. They said that 50,000 people wanted to attend the game, with only 48,000 allowed in owing to coronavirus regulations.
Witnesses said the crush occurred when stewards closed the gates to the arena, and many still tried to gain entry to the game Cameroon won 2-1.
The world governing body FIFA said on Tuesday it "sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the tragic incident.
"The thoughts and prayers of the global football community are with the victims, the ones who have been injured in this incident, and all the staff of both CAF and the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT) at this difficult moment,” FIFA said.
The African body CAF said in a statement late Monday it was "aware of the incident” and "investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired.
"We are in constant communication with the Cameroon government and the Local Organizing Committee,” it said, adding that its general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba, was to visit the injured supporters in hospital.
The Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final due to be held at the Olembe Stadium on Sunday will now be moved to another stadium, reports said.
The ground held the opening ceremony and is due to host a semi-final and the Nations Cup final on Sunday, 6 February.
Sunday’s quarter-final is now set to be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde instead.
Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar issued a statement on behalf of the squad, saying the Indomitable Lions "deeply wail” after hearing about fatalities and injuries.
"To the families of the victims, (we) extend their heart-felt condolences and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Aboubakar said.
"The Indomitable Lions urge the football fans in Cameroon and Africa to be highly disciplined and responsible within and outside the stadiums so that football matches in general and the 2021 Nations Cup remain festive moments.
"(We) also call for the preservation of security, brotherhood and shared happiness in the stadiums.”
Narrow 2-1 loss for
Comoros
Earlier on Monday, Comoros put in a tremendous performance despite being without a recognised goalkeeper and having 10 men for most of the game, as they succumbed to a narrow 2-1 loss to hosts Cameroon in the last 16.
After booking their place in the knockouts with a famous win over Ghana, Comoros’ fairytale quickly turned into a nightmare when a coronavirus outbreak in their camp left them without a keeper for the clash with Cameroon.
Back-up option Ali Ahamada returned a negative result on Monday but was not authorised to play by CAF, meaning defender Chaker Alhadhur had to be deployed between the posts.
The task facing Les Coelacantes was made even more daunting inside seven minutes when they lost their captain Nadjim Abdou, who was shown a straight red card after referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa reviewed footage of his challenge on Moumi Ngamaleu.
Cameroon struggled to test Alhadhur but finally broke through in the 29th minute when Karl Toko Ekambi dug out a shot that found the bottom-left corner. Andre Onana did well to keep out Ahmed Mogni and Mohamed Youssouf in quick succession as Comoros still showed plenty of adventure, with Alhadhur matching his counterpart by thwarting Vincent Aboubakar and Ngamaleu in a memorable double save after the restart.
Aboubakar sold Alhadhur a dummy to finally add to Cameroon’s tally in the 70th minute, but Comoros rallied despite their numerical disadvantage and pulled one back through an incredible 35-yard free-kick from Youssouf M’Changama that sailed into the top-right corner. It was too little too late for Comoros, though, with their sensational maiden AFCON appearance brought to a harsh end, while Cameroon face Gambia next.
Nairobi/Berlin
At least eight people have reportedly died in a crush around Monday’s Africa Cup of Nations pre-quarter-final in Yaounde between hosts Cameroon and Comores.
Reports also said that 38 people were injured when a large number of people tried to gain entry into the stadium. They said that 50,000 people wanted to attend the game, with only 48,000 allowed in owing to coronavirus regulations.
Witnesses said the crush occurred when stewards closed the gates to the arena, and many still tried to gain entry to the game Cameroon won 2-1.
The world governing body FIFA said on Tuesday it "sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the tragic incident.
"The thoughts and prayers of the global football community are with the victims, the ones who have been injured in this incident, and all the staff of both CAF and the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT) at this difficult moment,” FIFA said.
The African body CAF said in a statement late Monday it was "aware of the incident” and "investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired.
"We are in constant communication with the Cameroon government and the Local Organizing Committee,” it said, adding that its general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba, was to visit the injured supporters in hospital.
The Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final due to be held at the Olembe Stadium on Sunday will now be moved to another stadium, reports said.
The ground held the opening ceremony and is due to host a semi-final and the Nations Cup final on Sunday, 6 February.
Sunday’s quarter-final is now set to be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde instead.
Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar issued a statement on behalf of the squad, saying the Indomitable Lions "deeply wail” after hearing about fatalities and injuries.
"To the families of the victims, (we) extend their heart-felt condolences and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Aboubakar said.
"The Indomitable Lions urge the football fans in Cameroon and Africa to be highly disciplined and responsible within and outside the stadiums so that football matches in general and the 2021 Nations Cup remain festive moments.
"(We) also call for the preservation of security, brotherhood and shared happiness in the stadiums.”
Narrow 2-1 loss for
Comoros
Earlier on Monday, Comoros put in a tremendous performance despite being without a recognised goalkeeper and having 10 men for most of the game, as they succumbed to a narrow 2-1 loss to hosts Cameroon in the last 16.
After booking their place in the knockouts with a famous win over Ghana, Comoros’ fairytale quickly turned into a nightmare when a coronavirus outbreak in their camp left them without a keeper for the clash with Cameroon.
Back-up option Ali Ahamada returned a negative result on Monday but was not authorised to play by CAF, meaning defender Chaker Alhadhur had to be deployed between the posts.
The task facing Les Coelacantes was made even more daunting inside seven minutes when they lost their captain Nadjim Abdou, who was shown a straight red card after referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa reviewed footage of his challenge on Moumi Ngamaleu.
Cameroon struggled to test Alhadhur but finally broke through in the 29th minute when Karl Toko Ekambi dug out a shot that found the bottom-left corner. Andre Onana did well to keep out Ahmed Mogni and Mohamed Youssouf in quick succession as Comoros still showed plenty of adventure, with Alhadhur matching his counterpart by thwarting Vincent Aboubakar and Ngamaleu in a memorable double save after the restart.
Aboubakar sold Alhadhur a dummy to finally add to Cameroon’s tally in the 70th minute, but Comoros rallied despite their numerical disadvantage and pulled one back through an incredible 35-yard free-kick from Youssouf M’Changama that sailed into the top-right corner. It was too little too late for Comoros, though, with their sensational maiden AFCON appearance brought to a harsh end, while Cameroon face Gambia next.