The final match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations could take place at the Stade Omnisports d’Olembé despite the death of eight people during the Cameroon – Comoros game at the same venue.
After the incidents that left eight dead and thirty-eight injured, the President of CAF, Patrice Motsepe, had suspended the infrastructure and demanded a report to establish the causes of the incident, those responsible, and the measures so that more this never happens again.
And a deadline had been granted to the Local Organizing Committee to submit the said report. This was actually done last Friday.
The three partners, CAF, the Local Organizing Committee and the Government of Cameroon, as the report points out, “having considerably reinforced security and resources at the Olembé stadium, are convinced that the safety and security of spectators and visitors will be insured.
Here is the press release from the CAF
CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, after convening a meeting of the CAF AFCON Organizing Committee, received the report drawn up by the CAF Safety and Security Department in collaboration with the COCAN regarding the circumstances of the tragedy at the Olembé stadium.
The report highlighted the numerous on-site meetings and discussions that took place with senior representatives of the police, gendarmerie, military, as well as senior Cameroonian ministers of government, defense and police, including the Governor of Yaoundé and other stakeholders.
The report dealt with and underlined the tragic circumstances which had caused thirty-eight injuries and eight deaths. The report further outlined recommendations and interventions to ensure that a tragedy of this nature never happens again.
Having taken note of the Government’s recommendations and commitments regarding additional security measures in addition to those which have already been successfully implemented at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium during the Morocco-Malawi match and at the Japoma stadium during the Gambia-Cameroon match, the CAF Organizing Committee has unanimously decided to lift the suspension imposed on the Olembé stadium and to authorize one of the semi-finals of the AFCON Total Energies Nations Cup as well as the final match to take place take place at the Olembé stadium.
In conclusion, CAF, the Local Organizing Committee and the Government of Cameroon, having considerably reinforced security and resources at the Olembé stadium, are convinced that the safety and security of spectators and visitors will be ensured.
