AFCON governing body issue statement after stampede kills 6 and injures 40 fans

AFCON governing body CAF (Confederation Africaine de Football) has released a statement following the tragic scenes in Cameroon that has seen at least six people lose their lives.

At least 40 people have been seriously injured after a stampede occurred outside the Olembe Stadium, prior to Cameroon's match against Comoros in the first knockout round of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The ground has a capacity of 60,000 but Covid restrictions have meant that they cannot allow more than 80 per cent while match officials have claimed that over 50,000 people were trying to gain access.

Video footage emerged of the incident while it has been reported that many children were among the injured.

CAF have since released a statement, which read: "CAF is aware of the incident that took place at Olembe Stadium during the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations fixture between hosts Cameroon and Comoros tonight, 24 January 2022.

"CAF is currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired. We are in constant communication with Cameroon government and the Local Organizing Committee.

"Tonight, the CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe sent the General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba to visit the supporters in hospital in Yaounde."

Regional governor Naseri Paul Biya said that there could be more casualties as news continues to filter out on the emergency.

A local hospital in Yaounde reported that at least 40 had been injured in the stampede.

Despite the incident, the match went ahead with host nations Cameroon winning the contest 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals.

Strikes from Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar gave the home the win over the tournament newcomers.

Comoros were forced to play a defender in goal after a Covid outbreak which ruled out their goalkeepers.

The African minnows were also down to 10 men for most of the contest after captain Jimmy Abdou was sent off after seven minutes.

However, Youssouf M'Changama gave his side some hope after scoring a sensational free-kick with 10 minutes to go.