The continental competition African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is nearing completion. In the meantime, four matches of the last sixteen have been played. Today and tomorrow will be the remaining four matches of this episode. This tournament gave birth to a terrible accident yesterday. The last 16 saw hosts Cameroon face off and Comoros play their first Nations Cup. At least six spectators were trampled to death while watching the match, the BBC reported.
Cameroon and Comoros face-off tomorrow at the Paul Bea Stadium near the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé. Comoros, which was recognized by FIFA in 2005, has surprised everyone this time. The team that went to play for the first time lost to an established force like Ghana in the knockout stage. Comoros became the team of 10 people in 8 minutes against the host team. But the team did not give up. Comoros narrowed the gap to 71 minutes after trailing 2-0 in the 60th minute.
[At least six fans killed in stampede at Cameroon AFCON match]
Although the match went smoothly, a terrible accident happened before the match started. Due to the coronation rules, there is no rule for more than 60 percent of spectators to enter the stadium. But the home team's game, so more than 50,000 people came to watch the game in the 80,000-seat stadium. Due to this, there was a scuffle between the supporters while entering the stadium.
Cameroon's state broadcaster, CRTV, reported that "six people were killed and many more were injured when they stumbled upon the stadium." CNN says the death toll is eight. Another media outlet says several children lost consciousness at the scene.
Initially, no one was aware of the casualties. BBC Africa's Nick Cavell says everyone is shocked after several videos were spread on social media. There are many shoes lying at the entrance of the stadium. He also said that there are many more goods lying around. The African Football Confederation (CAF) said in a statement that it was investigating the incident and was trying to understand what had happened.
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