AFCON 2021: Matches to observe minute silence for those who died in stadium stampede

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said the remaining matches of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will have a moment of silence for supporters who are dead and those injured from Monday’s night stampede at the Olembe Stadium during the second round game between Cameroon and Comoros.

CAF President, Patrice Motsepe disclosed this Tuesday that the decision was agreed upon after an emergency meeting as a result of the incident.

“The issue was should we postpone today’s matches,” Motsepe said in a press conference. 

“From my side, there’s a duty not just to consult but also to listen to the guidance of various stakeholders. The conclusion was we should observe a moment of silence. One of the specific questions was should it start from today’s matches and it was indeed an issue we had to discuss and consider.”

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No fewer than eight persons died in a crash outside the stadium as supporters, more than the required number, tried to gain entry.

Sources at the stadium said children were among the casualties, while some others said it occurred when stadium stewards closed the gates and stopped giving access to people to 

Officials at the nearby Messassi hospital admitted injured people from the stampede who were rushed to the hospital by police and civilians. The officials said the hospital was not capable of treating all of them.

The stadium with a capacity of 60,000 was not meant to accommodate more than 80 per cent due to COVID-19 restrictions.

As a consequence, games scheduled to hold at the stadium have now been shifted to other venues.

A statement released by CAF on the incident read, “CAF is aware of the incident that took place at Olembe Stadium during the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations fixture between hosts Cameroon and Comoros tonight, 24 January 2022.