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At least six people dead in stampede outside African Cup of Nations football match

At least six people were killed in a stampede outside the stadium in an African Cup of Nations football game in Cameroon, officials have said.

The stampede happened as crowds struggled to gain access to Olembe Stadium in the capital, Yaounde, to watch the host nation play Comoros in a last 16 knockout match.

A regional governor, Naseri Paul Biya, said there could be more casualties, as a hospital in the area reported at least 40 had been injured in the stampede.

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Officials said almost 50,000 people tried to attend the match at the Olembe Stadium. Pic AP

"Some of the injured are in desperate condition," said Olinga Prudence, a nurse.

"We will have to evacuate them to a specialised hospital."

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Officials said about 50,000 people had tried to attend the match.

The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but it was not meant to be more than 80% full due to COVID restrictions.

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Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations - Round of 16 - Cameroon v Comoros - Stade d'Olembe, Yaounde, Cameroon - January 24, 2022 Cameroon fan inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

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Cameroon is hosting Africa's flagship football tournament for the first time in 50 years

President of Confederation of African Football to visit supporters

In a statement, the Confederation of African Football said that it is "aware of the incident" at the Olembe Stadium and are "trying to get more details on what transpired".

Comoros' goalkeeper Chaker Alhadhur, left, fails to stop a goal shot from Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar, far right, during the African Cup of Nations 2022 round of 16 soccer match between Cameroon and Comoros at the Olembe stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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Officials said almost 50,000 people tried to attend the match at the Olembe Stadium. Pic AP

"We are in constant communication with Cameroon government and the local organising committee," CAF said.

"Tonight, the CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe sent the general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, to visit the supporters in hospital in Yaoundé."

Premier League club Everton paid tribute to those who lost their lives outside the stadium.

In a tweet, the club wrote: "The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Everton are with the families of those fans who have lost their lives and anyone affected by the tragic events at today's #AFCON2021 match between Cameroon and Comoros in Yaounde. RIP."

Comoros' Youssouf M'Changama, center, with teammates celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the African Cup of Nations 2022 round of 16 soccer match between Cameroon and Comoros at the Olembe stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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Cameroon won the game 2-1, but the game was marred after six people were killed in a stampede. Pic AP

Tight match overshadowed by off-the-pitch incident

On the pitch, Cameroon won the game 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals.

Strikers Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar had given Cameroon the lead by the 70th minute against the tournament newcomers, who are ranked 132nd in the world and played with a defender in goal due to a coronavirus outbreak in the squad.

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations - Round of 16 - Cameroon v Comoros - Stade d'Olembe, Yaounde, Cameroon - January 24, 2022 Comoros' Chaker Alhadhur who is a defender plays as a goalkeeper as their goalkeepers did not make the match day squad due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

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Comoros' Chaker Alhadhur, a defender normally, played as a goalkeeper due to a COVID outbreak in the squad

Comoros also had to cope with playing most of the match with 10 men after Jimmy Abdou was sent off in the seventh minute for stepping on the back of Moumi Ngamaleu's ankle.

Read more: Referee causes chaos after ending group match between Tunisia and Mali early twice

But Comoros midfielder Youssouf M'Changama gave his side hope, scoring from a free-kick from 30 yards in the 81st minute.

Details of the tragedy outside the stadium were only confirmed after the game.

Cameroon is hosting Africa's flagship football tournament for the first time in 50 years.

The host nation is scheduled to face Guinea, another tournament debutant, on Saturday in the quarter-final.

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