After Spectator Death Incident, One African Cup Of Nations Match Moved From Olembe Stadium

Illustration of crowd at Africa Cup of Nations (Twitter @fedcomfootball)

JAKARTA - A quarter-final match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations has been moved from the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon, after an incident that killed at least eight people as crowds got out of control on Monday.

African Football Confederation (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe on Tuesday said the quarter-final match in question would be moved to the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium also located in Yaounde.

The match that was moved will see the winners of the last 16 matches between Malawi vs Morocco and Egypt vs Ivory Coast.

Olembe Stadium, which was inaugurated on September 8, 2021 after construction began in 2018, is also scheduled to be the location for the semifinal match on February 3 and the final three days later.

CAF President Dr Motsepe sends his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased spectators.

— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 (@CAF_Online) January 25, 2022

Motsepe stated that it was possible the two matches would be moved as well unless Cameroon's local authorities could guarantee increased security.

Mostepe also said the CAF was seeking an explanation from Cameroon's local committee and local authorities about the cause of the uncontrollable crowd and why one of the gates at the stadium that was supposed to be open was instead closed at the time of the incident.

"We want urgent steps to ensure the incident does not repeat itself and a detailed report of what went wrong on Friday," Motsepe told a news briefing.

"Obviously there are flaws, failures and weaknesses. There are problems that should have been anticipated."

"The safety and security of the audience should be our main duty and obligation," he said.

#TeamSenegal and #TeamCapeVerde observe a minute of silence, honoring the victims of the Olembe Stadium Incident. 🙏#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #SENCPV pic.twitter.com/R1Yqvt5TFn

— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 (@CAF_Online) January 25, 2022

Motsepe explained that there were thousands of additional spectators who entered the stadium to "live the atmosphere".

"There are gates that are closed for reasons that can't be explained," he said after visiting the location where the crowd was getting out of control, referring to the fact that if the gates had been opened the incident could have been avoided.

Motsepe also stated that there had been talk of postponement of the two round of 16 matches scheduled for this Tuesday, but stakeholders agreed to continue.

This Tuesday there are two matches scheduled to take place at Bafoussam and Ahmadou Ahidjou Stadium in Yaounde.

Thirty-eight people were injured when spectators stormed the stadium hosting Cameroon's match against the Comoros Islands on Monday.

Motsepe claimed to have visited the injured, seven of whom are still being treated in hospital.

Images circulating on social media, which Reuters could not immediately confirm, showed panicked people trying to enter the Olembe Stadium through the narrow entrance gate.

One video even showed dozens of fans squashed against the stadium fence while a policeman just walked by.