The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal match due to be held at the Paul Biya, Olembe Stadium on Sunday has been moved after a fatal crush outside the ground on Monday.
At least eight people were killed and 40 injured as fans struggled to get access to a match between hosts Cameroon and Comoros in Yaounde.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe alongside Cameroon Health Minister Dr Manaouda Malachie visited injured supporters in hospitals,as CAF promise to investigate the incident.
According to reports, two children, aged 8 and 14, were among the dead, and seven people were seriously injured in the crush.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and world governing body FIFA have sent condolences to the families that lost their loved ones and wish the hospitalized victims speedy recovery.
Motsepe said CAF must take responsibility for the crush along with the local organising committee and the Cameroonian government.
“We have a duty to find out exactly what happened and more importantly to put in preventative measures to ensure that what happened never happens again.”
The newly constructed Olembe Stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but was not meant to accept more than 80% spectators because of COVID-19 restrictions.
However, match officials were quoted as saying that as many as 50,000 people were trying to attend Monday’s match.
“There were deficiencies, weaknesses, failures, things that should have been foreseen. When people lose their lives you must be angry and demand explanations and guarantees that it will never happen again,” Motsepe added.
Sunday’s quarter-final is now set to be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde and players will pay a minute silence in memory of the victims in all the remaining matches of the AFCON.
The matchday six encounters of the ongoing Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership hold this Wednesday, 26th of January 2022, across six centres in the country, with some regional rivalries and classic clashes on the agenda.
Group A Leaders, Edo Queens will face struggling side Osun Babes at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, while in-form Naija Ratels, welcome neighbours Nasarawa Amazons to the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja. While Rivers Angels travel through the creeks to face perennial rivals, Bayelsa Queens Nembe.
Standings ahead of match week 6
Edo Queens Vs Osun Babes – Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin:
The ‘Obaseki’ Ladies’ host ‘Omoluabi Queens’ under the Samuel Ogbemudia’s floodlight at 7pm on Wednesday night.
Still basking in the euphoria of their 1-0 away victory at the U.J Usuene Stadium, Calabar against Pelican Stars, Edo Queens would confidently go into Wednesday’s game, aiming nothing but the three maximum points at stake. The ‘Omoluabi Queens’ gave a great fight in Benin City last season in the same fixture, with Elizabeth Zirike’s solitary goal in the 50th minute, making the only difference in the game.
Osun Babes were drawn bye last week, but had their first win of the season on matchday 4 against Pelican Stars at the Lanreleke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo.
Both Managers are confident heading into this encounter. Olayinka Adunola is optimistic that her side will get a favourable result in Benin, same as Wemimo Mathew, who clearly believes that her team is well prepared for this encounter.
Naija Ratels FC Vs Nasarawa Amazons – Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja:
Naija Ratels got a great result last week in Ilorin against Confluence Queens and will face a tough battle against one of the best sides in the league, Nasarawa Amazons.
The two teams are definitely the highest scoring sides in the league. Nasarawa Amazons have scored twelve goals and conceded just one so far, while Naija Ratels have gotten past the opponents goalkeepers nine times and conceded four times.
Adamawa Queens Vs Pelican Stars – Abubakar Pantanmi Stadium, Gombe:
Pelican Stars seem to be the only team in the league without a point so far. They will face another struggling team, Adamawa Queens, who have only recorded three points in their last five matches.
Adamawa Queens are a very difficult side to beat at home and they showed that quality when they defeated Confluence Queens 1-0 at the Abubakar Pantami Stadium on matchday 4.
Pelican Stars have also conceded more goals, than any other team in the league, leaving them as the weakest side so far, but they have promised to give their all in the all important game against the ‘Fintiri’Ladies.
Match week 6 fixtures
Delta Queens Vs Royal Queens – Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba:
A Delta derby that comes with alot of talking points. Two rivals in very different veins of form renew hostilities on Wednesday.
The ‘Okowa Ladies’ picked a rare draw in Lagos against FC Robo Queens to continue their unbeaten streak, while Royal Queens new manager Whyte Ogbonda sought to immediately endear himself to the Royal Queens faithfuls with a convincing win over visiting Sunshine Queens.
In the same clash last season, Mamuzo Edaife, 75th minute goal gave Delta Queens all three points and there were alot of rowdy moments after the final whistle.
Bayesla Queens Vs Rivers Angels – Nembe Township Stadium, Nembe:
The Nembe Township Stadium, plays host to a highly-anticipated NWFL Premiership derby on Wednesday, as Bayelsa Queens welcome Rivers Angels to Glory of all Lands.
One place and two points separates the bitter rivals in the NWFL Premiership table presently, with one manager certainly under more pressure than his counterpart this week.
This fixture is perhaps the biggest game of the week and a Bayelsa Queens win, will see them climb top of the log.
Meanwhile, the Edwin Okon’s side started the season brilliantly, recording three wins in their last four games. A win at the Nembe Township Stadium, on Wednesday looks possible for the ‘Jewels of Rivers’ as they remain unbeaten this season.
Sunshine Queens Vs Abia Angels – Ondo Sports Complex, Akure:
One win in four games for Sunshine Queens that put them under pressure. While the ‘Betty Babes’ have only recorded three points so far this season, their opponent Abia Angels have only succeeded in claiming just two points so far.
Ann Chiejine faces Tayo Onilude in a must win clash for the two teams.
Abia Angels were brilliant at home last week, holding Bayelsa Queens at the Umuahia Township Stadium to a goalless draw, while Bayelsa Queens recorded a big win in Akure on matchday one and lost their last game to Royal Queens in Warri last week.
MFM suffers third straight defeat, Onuwa breaks three-year jinx as Lobi Stars recorded their first win in 10 NPFL matches against Enyimba FC while Rivers United thrashed Heartland FC.
The 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 8 fixtures have seen eight of ten matches completed on Sunday and Monday with the other matches expected to go down on Wednesday.
Lobi Stars vs Enyimba FC
Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi on Sunday defeated visiting Enyimba International FC of Aba 1-0, thanks to former Enyimba player Chukwuka Onuwa’s lone goal in the 80th minute.
It was Onuwa’s first goal in three years. He last scored in 2019 against his former club MFM FC while in the colours of Enyimba. It was also Lobi Stars first win over the People’s Elephant since February 2017.
The People’s Elephant now has one win in their last five games under Finidi George.
Abia Warriors vs Dakkada FC
At the Umuahia Township Stadium, Godwin Obaje scored from the penalty spot to help the Abia Warriors secured a 1-1 draw against visiting Dakkada FC. The visitors had gone in front in the 67th minute from a Yusuf Yusuf strike.
Kano Pillars vs MFM
MFM suffered third straight defeat after going down 1-0 at Kano Pillars. Yusuf Maigoro’s strike with five minutes left in the first half was enough to seal the win for the struggling Pillars.
Wikki Tourist vs Plateau United
In Bauchi, Plateau United missed the chance to close the gap on league leaders Remo Stars following their 2-1 loss to Wikki Tourists.
Salisu Adamu put the ball in his own net in the 23rd minute to gift Plateau the lead before Fuad Ekelojuoti goal control his teammates damage two minutes later. Substitute Anas Yusuf then scored a 64th-minute wonder goal to hand Wikki Tourists a 2-1 comeback.
Nasarawa United vs Katsina United
Shammasu Mohammed scored a 93rd-minute goal as Nasarawa United defeated Katsina United, as Bala Nikyu’s side earned another routine win in Lafia.
Akwa United vs Sunshine Stars
Defending champions Akwa United played out a goalless draw against Sunshine Stars at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
This is the first time ‘The Promise Keepers’ will be failing to score at home in a league match since May 2021, while Sunshine Stars stretch their unbeaten run this season to six.
Rivers United vs Heartland FC
Rivers United overcame Heartland FC 3-1 on Monday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, to go top on the league table.
Morice Chukwu struck a beautiful freekick to opened the scoring for the hosts just six minutes into the game.
Chijioke Akuneto doubled the lead in the 12th minute after receiving a beautiful assist from Ishaq Kayode who later scored from close range after Nyima Nwagua’s shot is blocked in the 52nd minute before Chukwudi Nwaodu pulls one back for the visitors in the 68th minute.
Heartland FC have now scored an away goal in the NPFL for the first time this season.
Ishaq Kayode with a goal and assist takes his tally to seven (7) goals and three (3) assists in eight matches. He has been involved in over 71% (10/14) of the goals scored by Rivers United in the 2021/22 NPFL.
Gombe United vs Niger Tornadoes
Yusuf Abdulazeez’s lone goal in the 11th minute gave Gombe United victory over Niger Tornadoes at the Pantami Stadium.
Fantastic build up by Gombe United, Tornadoes Goolkeeper was poor conceding that goal, he redeemed himself by pulling a great penalty save. #GOMTORpic.twitter.com/vxoOnc8ZYD
The match pulled one of the biggest crowd in the league this season with fans out to cheer and enjoy beautiful football.
In the 20th minute, the hosts were awarded penalty after Jacob John was adjudged to have fouled United player inside the box. Jimoh takes it and George Michael punches away.
Ahmadu Liman could have restored parity but his effort came off the bar.
Still To Come:
Remo Stars will be looking to extend their 8 games unbeaten run in the NPFL this season and return back to the top of the table when they visit Rangers FC on Wednesday at the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium, while Shooting Stars of Ibadan welcome Kwara United.
At least six people have been reported dead and many others injured in a crush at the Olembe Stadium where hosts Cameroon beat Comoros in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 match.
It is the first time tragedy was recorded at a stadium in the 64-year history of the tournament.
According to multiple sources and video footage online, football fans were struggling and forcing their ways to get access to the Paul Biya stadium in Olembe, a neighbourhood of the capital Yaounde, hence leading to stampede. The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but because of COVID-19 restrictions it was not meant to have more than 80% spectators.
Match officials were quoted as saying that some 50,000 people were trying to attend the game.
Nick Cavell, a producer for BBC Africa, was at the match and said that news of the crush did not seem to filter through to the crowd until there were reports on social media.
The Confederation of African Football, CAF said in a statement that it is “currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired”.
Nurse Olinga Prudence told AP that some of the injured were in a “desperate condition” and have been rushed to nearby hospitals in Yaoundé where the Minister for Health Dr. Manaouda Malachie and CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba have visited the victims receiving treatments.
Africa Cup Of Nations debutants ‘The Gambia’ are into the quarterfinals after edging Guinea 1-0 thanks to Musa Barrow’s second-half strike.
Guinea were without their talisman Naby Keïta (suspended) and Issiaga Sylla.
The ‘National Elephants’ almost had the opening goal through RB Leipzig teenager Ilaix Moriba, who drove upfield and played a lovely one-two with Kanté but denied by experienced centre-back Omar Colley who threw his body in the way of the strike.
Musa Barrow eventually opened the day in the 71st minute after receiving a lovely pass from Yusupha Bobb before moving past Ibrahima Conté and ended with a cool finish in the area.
Guinea thought they had responded soon afterwards, but Conté’s strike was ruled offside.
The Gambia fate was tested in the 87th minute when substitute, Yusupha Njie was sent off after two bookings. However, minutes later Ibrahima Conte was also dismissed for Guinea.
Despite Guinea hitting the woodwork twice in the dying moments, the Scorpions stung to a fairytale quartefinals.
Host nation, Cameroon are through to the quartefinals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 2-1 victory over 10-man Comoros who had an outfield player in goal.
The ‘Coelacanths’ of Comoros Islands had twelve of its squad members ruled out with COVID-19-19 and were left with no registered goalkeeper, the team turned to an outfield player who is a left-back to stood between the sticks against the hosts.
Things went from bad to worse just seven minutes into the game, as a VAR review of Nadjim Abdou’s foul led to the captain being dismissed.
Toko-Ekambi opened the scoring in the 27th minute after slugging an easy shot past Chaker Alhadhur.
Despite being a man down, Comoros forced André Onana to make multiple saves to helped the hosts had the lead at halftime.
The defender-turned-goalkeeper for the evening, Chaker Alhadhur made a fine double save to deny Aboubakar and Nicolas Ngamaleu, but the defender in him could not be taken away when he kept his hands behind his back as Aboubakar eventually doubled the lead in the 70th minute.
The Coelacanths refused to give up and kept knocking on Onana’s goal mouth, an effort which eventually paid off with nine mile left on the regular time when substitute, Youssouf M’Changama fired in a looping free-kick from 30 yards, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to prevent Cameroon taking their place in the quarter-finals.
Cameroon have only progressed to the quartefinals on two of the last six occasions they have been involved at this stage.
Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen has quitted the post of an interim head coach following the team’s exit from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday.
The former defender was appointed as the interim head coach of the team following the sacking of Gernot Rohr on the eve of the competition.
There were clamour for Eguavoen to get the job on a permanent basis following the Super Eagles impressive start in Cameroon.
Not only is Nigeria the only side to have picked nine points in the group stage, but Eguavoen became the first Super Eagles coach to win all three games in the group stage of an AFCON tournament and also the first to do it twice having done same in AFCON 2006.
The three-time champions however crashed out of the 2021 AFCON finals on Sunday going down to a 1-0 defeat against Tunisia at the Stade Roumdé Adija, Garoua in Cameroon.
Youssef Msakni’s 47th minute goal from 25 yards out was enough to send the Eagles packing from the tournament.
Speaking during the post-match press conference, Eguavoen declared that he has decided to return to his role as the Technical Director of the NFF.
“I’m the technical director of the NFF. I will go back to my job and allow the authorities to decide (who the next Super Eagles coach will be),” Eguavoen told the media.
It remain to be seen whether the NFF will stick with Eguavoen or adhere with the appointment of Portuguese Jose Peseiro as all attentions have now been shifted to the all-important World Cup qualifying two-legged playoff between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana in March this year.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are out of the 2021 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) after a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tunisia in the round of 16.
Austin Eguavoen’s men who came to the knockouts flying high being the only team coming into the round of 16 with a 100% points in the group stage were pipped by a lone goal by a Tunisian side that made the knockouts by virtue of being a best-loser.
The Covid-ravaged ‘Eagles of Carthage’ capitalized on goalkeeper Maduka Okoye’s error to reached their fourth successive quarter-final at the tournament.
Youssef Msakni drove forward and shook off Ola Aina before cutting inside Ndidi and firing in a swerving shot from 25 yards that brushed Okoye’s left glove and found the bottom corner.
The Super Eagles were reduced to 10 as substitute, Alex Iwobi who replaced Kelechi Iheanacho just before the hour mark, was sent off minutes after entering the field following a VAR check for a stamp on Msakni’s right ankle in his eagerness to regain possession.
Iwobi’s red card incident
Bechir Ben Saïd denied Moses Simon of an equalizer before Bilel Ifa denied a great attempt by Sadiq Umar and later, Sadiq slid an effort agonisingly past the far post in stoppage time.
In their right meetings, this is the first time Tunisia will be beating Nigeria in regular 90 minutes time. The last time Tunisia edged Nigeria in the AFCON was in 2004 where they went on to win.
Mondher Kebaier’s side will slug it out in the quartefinals against Burkina Faso on Saturday.
MOLATsportgist 