AFCON tragedy sees at least 8 people die in stampede outside stadium

At least eight people have died and dozens more have been injured after a stampede outside the stadium hosting the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 clash between Cameroon and Comoros.

The game was played at the purpose-built 60,000-capacity Paul Biya Stadium to the north of Cameroon’s capital city, Yaounde.

There were initial unconfirmed reports of a crush outside the venue before the game, claiming that 10s of people had been injured and several tragically killed. It has since been confirmed by the BBC that there have been at least eight fatalities as a result of the incident.

The game on the pitch was narrowly won by the host nation, despite facing an opposition without a specialist goalkeeper and that played most of the contest with 10 players after an early red card.

Cameroon struggled to even test emergency goalkeeper Chaker Alhadhur for much of the game but went ahead midway through the first half through Karl Toko Ekambi.

Vincent Aboubakar added some breathing room in the second half which proved very necessary when Youssouf M’Changama scored a screamer from distance for Comoros that could yet end up being the goal of the tournament.

The Olembe Stadium had already hosted five games at the tournament prior to the knockout rounds, including all three of Cameroon’s group fixtures.

It is also due to host one of the quarter-finals, one of the semi-finals and the final itself.

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