February 1 – After the deadly crush at the Cameroon vs Comoros in the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Olembe Stadium has been reinstated to host the semi-final between the Cameroon hosts and Egypt, as well as the final.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) removed the quarter-final between Egypt and Morocco from the Olembe Stadium after eight people lost their lives and 38 were injured in a crowd crush outside the stadium when Cameroon played Comoros in the second round.
CAF is now confident that public safety at the Olembe Stadium can be assured following a report into the incident.
“The report further highlighted the recommendations and interventions to ensure that a tragedy of this nature should never be repeated,” said CAF in a statement.
“Having noted the recommendations and undertakings from government in regard to additional security provisions, the CAF organising committee unanimously agreed to lift the suspension imposed on the Olembe Stadium.
“In conclusion, CAF, the local organising committee and the government of Cameroon, having significantly increased security and resources at the Olembe Stadium, are confident that the safety and security of spectators and visitors will be assured.”
There had always been concerns about Cameroon’s infrastructure to host the tournament. In 2019, the competition was shifted to Egypt at the eleventh hour. The Covid-19 pandemic and further doubts over the country’s readiness led to more speculation over Cameroon’s staging of the tournament, but in December CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the tournament would return to the West African country after half a century.
The Olembe Stadium holds a capacity of 60,000, but Covid-19 measures, in place since the start of the tournament, restricted the capacity to 80%. At a news conference last week, Motsepe said that his organisation and local organisers bore “collective responsibility” for the tragedy.
The tournament will culminate with the final on February 6. Hosts Cameroon, seven-time winners Egypt, 2013 finalists Burkina Faso and 2019 runners-up Senegal remain in contention for Africa’s most coveted crown.
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