Cameroon players have shown sportsmanship, compassion, generosity, and utmost respect to the victims of the deadly stampede that occurred at the Olembe stadium on Monday, 24 January 2022 in which eight supporters were killed and 38 injured. The players have donated their match-winning bonuses for reaching the knockout round of the tournament. Each Cameroon player receives $85,000 (50,000,000 CFA).
The Indomitable Lions asked the FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o that their bonus of 50,000,000 CFA [$85,585.63 USD] for their qualification to the last 16 at the AFCON be given to the victims of the stampede that took place at Olembe on the 24 January. The request was made after their quarterfinal match against The Gambia in Douala [on Saturday 29 January] and of course Eto’o agreed, it’s up to the players what they do with their money, said team spokesman Serge Leopold Guiffo.
The unfortunate scene took place outside the stadium’s south entrance ahead of Cameroon’s round-of-16 win over the Island nation of Comoros. After their 2-0 quarterfinal win over the scorpions of Gambia, the players, coach staff, technical team, and the football federation of Cameroon dedicated the win to the victims of the deadly stampede and their bereaved families.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in the semifinal of the competition on Thursday, February 3 2022 at the Paul Biya Stadium, Olembe.