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At least six people have died in a stampede outside a stadium hosting an African Cup of Nations soccer game in Cameroon, an official says.
Naseri Paul Biya, governor of the central region of Cameroon, said there could be more casualties.
The stampede happened as crowds struggled to get access to Olembe Stadium in the Cameroon capital of Yaounde to watch the host country play Comoros in a last 16 knockout game in Africa’s top soccer tournament.
Stampede outside the Olembe stadium during the Cameroon ???????? and Comoros ???????? match. ????
6 people have been reported dead whiles 40 people have been injured ???? #GTVSports #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/S2dfqTwztl
— GTV SPORTS+ (@mygtvsports) January 24, 2022
Officials at the nearby Messassi hospital said they had received at least 40 injured people from the stampede.
“Some of the injured are in desperate condition,” said Olinga Prudence, a nurse. “We will have to evacuate them to a specialised hospital.”
Officials said around 50,000 people had tried to attend the match. The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but it was not meant to be more than 80 per cent full for the game due to restrictions on the size of the crowd because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The game proceeded despite the chaos as Cameroon won 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals.
Jimmy Abdou was sent off after seven minutes as luckless Comoros, minus a recognised goalkeeper due to injury and coronavirus, saw their fairytale Africa Cup of Nations run end with a 2-1 defeat to hosts Cameroon.
Comoros, ranked 132 in the world, were without the injured Salim Ben Boina for the round-of-16 tie in Yaounde while fellow goalkeepers Ali Ahamada and Moyadh Ousseini had both tested positive for Covid-19.
Ajaccio’s 5ft 8in left-back Chaker Alhadhur took over in goal for a Comoros side who had also lost several outfield players and coach Amir Abdou to coronavirus.
Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar were on target as Cameroon secured a quarter-final date with Gambia, but it was not without concern as Youssouf M’Changama thundered home a 30-yard free-kick nine minutes from time.
Alhadhur had barely touched the ball when Abdou received his marching orders for stepping on the back of Moumi Ngamaleu’s ankle.
The former Plymouth and Millwall midfielder was banished after Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa was advised to go to the VAR monitor.
Comoros, who had booked a last-16 place by beating four-time African champions Ghana, refused to capitulate and Cameroon keeper Andre Onana made a superb double save from Ahmed Mogni and Mohamed Youssouf.
Toko Ekambi – with Cameroon’s only effort on target in the first half – broke the deadlock after 29 minutes by finding the bottom corner of Alhadhur’s net.
Alhadhur blocked an Aboubakar header at the start of the second half with his legs, before producing a smart double stop to thwart the former Porto striker and Ngamaleu.
Aboubakar, the tournament’s top scorer, slotted home his sixth goal in four games after 70 minutes, but M’Changama gave brave Comoros late hope with the sweetest of strikes.
Gambia had upset Guinea earlier with a 1-0 victory in Bafoussam.
Musa Barrow showed excellent control in the penalty area before sweeping home Gambia’s 71st-minute winner.
Guinea, who were without suspended Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita, struck the woodwork twice in the final seconds.
Gambia had substitute Yusupha Njie sent off four minutes from time for two bookable offences before Guinea’s Ibrahima Conte also saw red in the final seconds.
© AAP
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