Category: Sports

AFCON: Six Guinea Fans Die While Celebrating Match Victory Against Gambia

Full AFCON 2021 Day 2 Fixtures (Full Fixtures And Time)

At least six Guinean supporters tragically lost their lives while commemorating their country’s inaugural triumph at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

Naija News reports that the Guinean Football Federation, Feguifoot, confirmed the sad incident to BBC on Monday.

Regretting the unfortunate incident which happened during the jubilant festivities in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, Feguifoot media manager, Amadou Makadji, said the exuberant fans expressed their joy by parading through the streets in cars and motorcycles.

Recall that Guinea emerged triumphant with a 1-0 victory over The Gambia in their second group match in Ivory Coast on Friday night, igniting a wave of joyous celebrations across the entire West African nation.

Unfortunately, a joyous event went sour for the country’s football fans after the tragic accident.

Commenting on the incident, Makadji said: “What is important is that our fans and the public celebrate in a very measured fashion,”

“They have to be very careful not to put themselves in danger because the goal of football is to bring joy and not leave families bereaved. We do not want deaths to be mourned, 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,” He added.

Guinea secured the second position in Group C with four points courtesy of a goal scored by Aguibou Camara.

The country is currently two points behind the reigning champions Senegal but three points ahead of Cameroon, who are in third place and have won the tournament five times.

On the other hand, the Gambians are at the bottom of the group with just one point.

However, while commenting on the latest incident, one of the star players in the Guinea side, Pascal Feindouno, said: “I have a message to send to Guinean men and women,” the 42-year-old, who played at four Nations Cups, told the BBC in Yamoussoukro, where the team are based.

“Rest assured that we will do something at the Nations Cup, but we have learned something that will destabilise us. We learned there were deaths after the victory against The Gambia – we want this to stop because we are here to defend the colours of the country.

“Everything is going well for us at the moment, so support the country but don’t do anything to kill each other or oneself. Stay calm – thank you,” Feindouno reportedly told BBC Sports Africa.

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Nigerian Striker, Adefolarin Durosinmi Backs Super Eagles For AFCON Title

Nigerian striker Adefolarin Durosinmi believes the Super Eagles have all it takes to win the 2023 AFCON title in Ivory Coast.

Adefolarin Durosinmi made this prediction after the Super Eagles went against all odds to defeat the hosts of the tournament, Ivory Coast, 1-0 to remain positive about progressing to the next round of the tournament.

This win came after the Eagles recorded a disappointing 1-1 draw in their opening Group A game against Equatorial Guinea on January 14.

In the game against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on January 18, William Troost-Ekong silenced the Ivorian supporters in the 54th minute by converting a spot-kick after Victor Osimhen was fouled in the penalty box.

The Elephants failed to muster an equalizer despite constant attempts, as the Eagles held on for a historic victory that rekindled their hopes of winning the 2023 AFCON title.

Adefolarin Durosinmi, 33, who has scored six goals in 15 games for Thailand’s top league club, Nakhon Pathom United, believes that Napoli striker, Osimhen, can lead Nigeria to a fourth AFCON title.

“It was a great win for the Eagles and that victory has sparked a lot of confidence among every Nigerian”, Durosinmi told the Punch.

“It was a spirited and professional performance from the team. They knew it wasn’t going to be easy and they were ready to fight.

“To be honest I want them to win the AFCON and I believe we can win a fourth AFCON title in Ivory Coast if they stick together like they did.”

He added, “Osimhen with the help of the team can lead the Eagles to the title.

“He has had a hand in the goals we have scored so far; he is one of the key players in the team.”

Super Eagles’ next game in the competition is against Guinea-Bissau at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 22. A draw in the game is enough to seal the Eagles’ progress to the next round.

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