Yaoundé (AP) – After the mass panic that left at least eight dead, two quarter-finals and one semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon have now been moved to another stadium, the continental association CAF said.
A quarter-final clash scheduled for Sunday will take place at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium instead of the Stade d’Olembé. Another quarter-final on Sunday and a semi-final on Tuesday will be kicked off at Ahidjo Stadium instead of Japoma Stadium in Douala. The Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium and the Stade d’Olembé are located in the capital Yaoundé.
Eight people were killed and 38 injured in a stampede in front of the Olembe Stadium during the round of 16 match between hosts Cameroon and Comoros (2-1) on Monday.
For the other semi-final, to be played at the Olembe Stadium, the federation has not yet announced a decision. This depends on the results of an investigation into the stampede. The report must first be checked before the semi-finals can take place next Thursday at the Olembe Stadium. The staging of the final at the Olembe Stadium on February 6 is also in doubt and will depend on the outcome of the investigation.
The association also asked for “an assurance and guarantee that appropriate and reasonable measures have been taken to ensure that a similar incident at the Olembe Stadium will not happen again.”