The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals will be played at the ill-fated Olembe stadium after all.Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that one of the semifinals will also be staged at the venue where eight people including a child were trampled to death with thirty-eight others sustaining critical injuries during host nation Cameroon’s last sixteen fixture with Comoros on 24th January 2022.Cameroon won the tie 2-0 before the grim revelations were made public.“…the CAF Organising Committee unanimously agreed to lift the suspension imposed on the Olembé, Stadium and allow one of the Total Energies AFCON Cup of Nations Semi-Finals as well as the Final Match to take place at the Olembé Stadium,” excerpts of the CAF statement said8 fans died and 38 people were injured in a stampede during Cameroon vs. Comoros at Olembe Stadium at the 2021 AFCON.CAF has demanded a report from the local organising committee by Friday.CAF President, Patrice Motsepe suggests the next game at the venue should be relocated. pic.twitter.com/cgYkvLcWvD— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 25, 2022 The government of Cameroon, the federation (FECAFOOT), CAF and the military then conducted a thorough review while the venue was suspended from hosting quarterfinal games. The ban was lifted on the final day of last eight matches leaving Olembe stadium free to host other matches.CAF president Patrice Motsepe held a meeting with the joint taskforce looking into the tragedy and gave a clean bill of health to their safety recommendations, tested at the Japoma stadium in the host country’s quarterfinal fixture with Gambia.Motsepe assured fans of safety at Olembe stadium in subsequent matches after the meeting.There was a stampede at the Olembe Stadium tonight.#AFCON2021 #3Sports pic.twitter.com/NCI8BLffkl— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) January 24, 2022 “The President of CAF Dr Patrice Motsepe, having convened a meeting of the CAF AFCON Organising Committee, received the report compiled by CAF Safety and Security Department together with COCAN relating to the circumstances in regard to the tragedy that occurred at the Olembé Stadium.The report highlighted the extensive onsite meetings and discussions which were held with senior representatives of the police, the gendarmerie, the military, together with high-ranking Cameroonian Government, Defence, and Police Ministers inclusive of the Governor of Yaoundé and other stakeholders.𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝! The #AFCON2021 final will go ahead at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde after CAF lifted its suspension of the venue.— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 31, 2022 The report dealt with and highlighted the tragic circumstances which led to thirty-eight people being injured and eight fatalities.The report further highlighted the recommendations and interventions to ensure that a tragedy of this nature should never be repeated.Having noted the recommendations and undertakings from Government in regard to additional security provisions over and above those which were already successfully implemented at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium during the Morocco and Malawi match and at the Japoma Stadium during the Gambia and Cameroon match, the CAF Organising Committee unanimously agreed to lift the suspension imposed on the Olembé, Stadium and allow one of the Total Energies AFCON Cup of Nations Semi-Finals as well as the Final Match to take place at the Olembé Stadium,” read the entire CAF statement
