CAF suspends AFCON quarterfinal matches in Cameroon’s biggest stadium after deadly stampede

Yaoundé, Cameroon | Xinhua | The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe announced Tuesday quarterfinal matches scheduled to take place at Cameroon’s biggest stadium, Olembe Stadium, located in the capital, Yaounde, will be played in a different stadium.

“I have already told the Cameroonian government. This match will be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium,” Motsepe told a press conference that was called hours after the Cameroonian government confirmed that eight people were killed and 38 others injured in a stampede as football fans tried to make their way into the stadium where a crucial knockout game between Cameroon and Comoros was being played on Monday night.

“We are as responsible as the Organizing Committee, as much as the Cameroonian government. We need to talk to ensure that steps are taken to ensure that what happened yesterday never happens again. A disciplinary committee will be created,” Motsepe said.

Earlier, Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions who qualified for the quarterfinals during the match, said in a statement signed by team captain Vincent Aboubakar that they were saddened by the tragic incident and urged fans to be “highly disciplined and responsible” outside and inside the stadiums.

The 60,000 capacity Olembe Stadium hosted the opening ceremony and match of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations and it’s scheduled to host the final game on February 6.

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Xinhua