Footballers of the Africa Cup of Nations host country said that they cannot be indifferent after lives were lost in the stampede that killed eight and injured 38 at Yaoundé’s Olembe stadium this week.On Sunday, Cameroonian footballers donated 85,000 USD and dedicated their 2-0 victory over the Scorpions of Gambia to the victims. Serge Guiffo, press officer for the Cameroon national team, prayed for God’s blessing to the mourning families in an official statement. The address did not say how the money would be distributed to the victims but said that a share will be given to the family members of those who died in the stampede.Cameroon government wants to ‘improve’ access to stampede stadiumCameroon’s minister of sports and physical education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, addressed the players at Douala’s Japoma stadium after the match.Cameroonians are happy that their national football team players have helped people who died or were injured while they struggled to watch the Indomitable Lions play, Kombi saidHe also added that Cameroonians are happy that the donation comes after a historic victory against the Scorpions of Gambia.Key suspect in the murder of Isaac Juma to be chargedAs crowds struggled to get access to Olembe Stadium in the capital city Yaoundé, a horrific crush occurred. Those injured were to be treated free of charge as per Cameroon President Paul Biya.However, a family member of a stampede victim said the president did not make a statement about any assistance to the families of dead victims. Ndukong Edward said he hopes the government will assist the injured and family members of the dead. Ndukong also said that Cameroon’s police might have caused the stampede with their security lapses. “If the gate was opened as it was supposed to be, nothing would have happened because people would have had access to the stadium. But if the gate was closed by some overzealous security officers for whatever reasons, then they should take responsibility,” he said.Wed 22:00: (6.20) Burkina Faso (3.10) Senegal (1.85)Thu 22:00: (2.20) Cameroon (3.10) Egypt (4.00)On Friday, Cameroonian authorities blamed the massive influx of ticketless fans who arrived late to the game for the stadium crush. The crowd tried to force their way in to avoid security checks and COVID-19 screening.The governor of Cameroon’s Centre region, Nasseri Paul Bea, said the government will assist victims of the crush after the competition ends. He also stated that people attending football matches during AFCON should stop uncivil behavior.”We are calling on this population to follow and respect the institutions, to be able to cooperate to be sure that Cameroon does not represent a bad image by being very patriotic and responsible. It should never happen again. Cameroonians should put in their mind that what happened in Olembe should never happen again,” he said.AFCON day 18: Liverpool duo shine and prove class as Halilhodzic stumble with the Atlas LionsCameroon is hosting AFCON for the first time in 50 years. The tournament, which is the continent’s main football event, was originally scheduled in 2019. The confederation stripped the event from Cameroon that year because stadiums were not ready.After the crush, the Confederation of African Football suspended AFCON matches at Olembe until further notice.Bea said that – in solidarity with the state of Cameroon – some government ministers, senior state officials and well-wishers have also been giving financial assistance to the victims.
