Egypt

Africa Cup of Nations review: sorrow, anger and Mané’s redemption

07-Feb-2022 21:00:04 | Guardian

Our writers relive their highs and lows of a tournament completely overshadowed by the Olembe Stadium tragedy

This Cup of Nations was played under a shadow from the moment eight supporters died outside Olembe Stadium a fortnight ago. There is no excusing what happened at a venue surrounded by vast spaces and the depressing sense remains that its causes will be swept under the carpet. After driving back to Yaoundé the following day and speaking with Romaric, who had been in the ground and encountered people who had been caught up in the crush as he left, the horror of what had occurred started to become clear. A subsequent visit to the emergency hospital brought some harrowing testimonies; these are, sadly, the words and images that linger. NA