Reporting reaching The News Chronicle has it that six Guinean supporters have been confirmed dead while celebrating their country’s first victory at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations currently been held in Ivory Coast.
Speaking to BBC on Monday 22 January 2024 the Guinean Football Federation, Feguifoot media manager Amadou Makadji, revealed that the incident took place during a celebratory event on the streets of Conakry, the capital of Guinea when jubilant fans were celebrating by driving cars and riding motorcycles.
Recall that the soccer team coasted to victory with a 1-0 win over The Gambia in their second group game in Ivory Coast on Friday night, heralding joyous celebrations throughout the West African nation.
“What is important is that our fans and the public celebrate in a very measured fashion. They have to be very careful to not put themselves in danger, because the goal of football is to bring joy and not leave families bereaved.
We do not want deaths to mourn, so we call on everyone to celebrate but to take care of themselves so that nothing happens to them. Guinea is a country where people are very, very passionate about football and they experience football like nowhere else in the world”. Amadou Makadji added
Makadji who applauded a goal by Aguibou Camara, emphasized that Guinea now sits second in Group C with four points, two behind reigning champions Senegal but three ahead of third-placed, five-time winners Cameroon, while the Gambians remain below with one point.
Also appealing to the country’s fans to be calm was Pascal Feindouno, one of the star players in the Guinea sides that reached three straight quarter-finals between 2004 and 2008.
The Feguifoot media manager equally noted that the team will work hard at the Nations Cup even after learning something that will destabilize it. He said that the team have learned that deaths were recorded after gaining victory against The Gambia.
The African Cup Of Nations, which began on January 13, 2024 will come to an end with the final in Ivory Coast’s economic capital Abidjan on February 11 2024.
