AFCON 2023: Six Guinea fans die celebrating win over Gambia

Guinea could secure the last 16 spot if they win their next game

Following Guinea’s 1-0 victory over Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023), six people were slain. As a result, the Guinean Football Federation has encouraged supporters to temper their revelry.

After a win that moved coach Kaba Diawara’s team closer to the Ivory Coast tournament’s knockout stages, jubilant Guinean supporters took to the nation’s streets.

In anticipation of their final group encounter against Senegal on Tuesday, the Federation issued a video featuring the players pleading with fans to celebrate properly.

“What is important is that our fans and the public celebrate in a very measured fashion,” the Federation’s media manager Amadou Makadji told the BBC.

“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.”

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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,” Makadji said.

Guinea were to advance to the round of 16 even if they lost, contingent on other outcomes if they drew with Senegal.

“Guinea is a country where people are very, very passionate about football and they experience football like nowhere else in the world.”

Aguibou Camara’s last-minute strike sealed the victory for Guinea and added to the drama. With four points, his country now sits second in Group C, two points behind reigning champion Senegal and three ahead of Cameroon, third. The top two teams will automatically advance to the knockout stages, with the third-place team possibly making it as well.

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