The Confederation of African Footblall (CAF) have announced its decision on the fate of the Yaounde situated Olembe Stadium which was originally scheduled to host the final match of the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. This follows a stampede that occurred on Monday, January 24 minutes after a Round of 16 game between hosts Cameroon and Comoros at the Olembe Stadium which left thirty-eight (38) spectators injured with eight (8) fatalities tragically recorded.
The unfortunate incident forced CAF to relocate the quarter-final between Morocco and Egypt from the Olembe stadium to the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. The federation then suspended the stadium from hosting any football match of the Cup of Nations “until CAF and the Local Organising Committee have received the full report of the Investigation Committee (into the Olembé incident) indicating the circumstances and events that led to the injury and death of spectators at the Olembé Stadium”.
The CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe held a meeting with the Local Organising Committee of the 2021 AFCON on Sunday, and have received the reports from the CAF Safety and Security Department regarding the tragedy that occurred at the Olembé Stadium. Following the hearing at the said meeting, CAF announced on Sunday that the semifinal game scheduled for February 3 and the February 6 final would be go ahead at the 60,000-seat Olembe Stadium as originally scheduled. The decision was arrived at after the confederation was convinced by Cameroon Government’s assurances of greater security measures put in place to ensure safety of fans at the stadium in Yaounde.
“The report highlighted the extensive onsite meetings and discussions which were held with senior representatives of the police, the gendarmerie, the military, together with high-ranking Cameroonian Government, Defence, and Police Ministers inclusive of the Governor of Yaoundé and other stakeholders”, CAF announced in a statement on Sunday.
“The report dealt with and highlighted the tragic circumstances which led to thirty-eight people being injured and eight fatalities. The report further highlighted the recommendations and interventions to ensure that a tragedy of this nature should never be repeated” the statement continued.
CAF further stated categorically clear that the final match will be hosted at the Olembe stadium.
“Having noted the recommendations and undertakings from Government in regard to additional security provisions over and above those which were already successfully implemented at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium during the Morocco and Malawi match and at the Japoma Stadium during the Gambia and Cameroon match, the CAF Organising Committee unanimously agreed to lift the suspension imposed on the Olembé, Stadium and allow one of the Total Energies AFCON Cup of Nations Semi-Finals as well as the Final Match to take place at the Olembé Stadium”, it confirmed.
