By Bakah Derick
The African Football Confederation (CAF) has indicted the local organising committee (LOC) of the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the dead of at leaat eight on Monday 24 January 2022 as a result of match rush during a Cameroon vs Comoros eighth finals fixture. CAF's President Patrice Motsepe was speaking during a presser on Tuesday 25 January 2022 in Yaounde.
Though insisting that the responsibility is collective, CAF's strongman maintains that security in the stadium is the duty of the LOC. Dr Patrice Motsepe questioned severally why a stadium gate entrance that was to be opened was closed. He has challenged the LOC to provide a detailed report not later than Friday 28 January 2022.
The South African has announced the cancellation of match number 47 initially programmed for the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde. The match which will now be moved to nearby Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium will also cause the movement of match number 48 initially programmed for Mfandena to the Limbe Omnisport stadium that had no quarter finals game.
The President of CAF explained that the match cancellation is to allow for the submission of a report by the CAF organising committee on what happened, what should gave happened.. emergency steps to ensure it doesn't happen again." Dr Patrice Motsepe.
He has indicated CAF's immediate decisions to give attention to the dead and injured.
"We have ordered that beginning today, we will observe a moment of silence for those dead in all remaining matches. We are also in contact with the families for any possible form of relief." He said
He has extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished the insjured quick recovery while insisting that there will be zero tolerance on matters of safety and security.
He has also praised the Camerooian people for their unmatched passion for sports and football and particular.