2,000 police officers for Cameroon, Egypt semi-final tie
This picture taken on January 25, 2022 at the entrance of Olembe stadium in Yaounde shows barriers on the ground at the scene of the stampede. Eight people were killed and many more injured in a crush outside a Cameroonian football stadium on January 24, 2022 ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations match.
Crowds attempted to enter through a southern entrace at Olembe stadium in the capital Yaounde to watch the host nation play Comoros.
What you need to know:
- But on Sunday, the continental football governing body revoked the suspension saying it can now continue hosting matches of the tournament.
- Caf said the decision to revoke the ban on the stadium followed hearings on the causes and circumstances in regard to the tragedy and undertakings by the Cameroon government in providing additional security provisions.
In Yaounde
More than 2,000 law enforcement officers will be deployed to control fans' influx when Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) hosts Cameroon face Egypt in the semi-finals at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde on Thursday, officials have announced.
The semi-final encounter between two most decorated teams at the tournament will be the first game to be played at the arena, since eight people died and 38 others were injured in a stampede crush, as fans tried to force their way through the south entrance into the stadium, where Cameroon was playing Comoros in a round of 16 fixture.
The Yaounde Site Committee president of the Afcon and governor of the Center region where the capital city is, Naseri Paul Bea, made the announcement at the end of an evaluation meeting of the members of the Local Organising Committee on Wednesday.
“We will have more than 2,000 (security) elements around the field,” Paul Bae disclosed as one of the measures taken to ensure hitch-free match.
“All preparations are going on well. The stadium will be opened at 2pm and we want people to come on time. There are a number of access roads which have been created, some leading directly into the stadium,” he ttold state broadcaster, the Cameroon Radio Television, (CRTV).
CAF had temporarily suspended the Olembe Stadium and relocated matches that were scheduled there to other stadiums following the deadly stampede.
But on Sunday, the continental football governing body revoked the suspension saying it can now continue hosting matches of the tournament.
Caf said the decision to revoke the ban on the stadium followed hearings on the causes and circumstances in regard to the tragedy and undertakings by the Cameroon government in providing additional security provisions.
