CAF announced on Wednesday January 26 that a quarter-final and a semi-final initially scheduled at the Japoma stadium in Douala will finally be moved to the Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé.
The rumor had been floating in the air for several days, it is now official: a quarter and a semi-final initially planned at the Japoma stadium in Douala will finally take place at the Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé. The CAF (African Football Confederation) took advantage of the Organizing Committee for the African Cup of Nations chaired by Patrice Motsepe to formalize the information in a press release.
The reasons for this relocation are not specified, but several teams have complained about the state of the pitch, which is not worthy of an international competition. The Gambia-Cameroon meeting on January 29, scheduled for the Japoma stadium, is not affected by these relocations.
No match in Olembé until further notice
The CAF press release also goes back to the terrible stampede that claimed the lives of eight people Monday, January 24 on the sidelines of the Cameroon-Comoros match. He is pointing out that “ the next match initially scheduled at the Olembé stadium will not take place until CAF and the local organizing committee (COCAN) have received the full report of the commission of inquiry indicating the circumstances and events that took place. resulted in the injury and death of spectators at the Olembé stadium “.
►Also read: CAN 2022: Motsepe demands explanations after the deadly stampede at the Olembé stadium
CAF therefore confirms that the quarter-final which was to be held at the Olembé stadium will be relocated to the Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium, as it announced on Tuesday, January 25. The start of the match was brought forward by one hour, the kick-off being given at 4 p.m. (local time).
On the other hand, the body did not specify whether one of the semi-finals and the final of the competition, which must also be held in Olembé, were concerned by a potential relocation. In the absence of information on this subject, these two meetings are for the moment maintained at the Olembé stadium.
THE PROGRAM (AS OF JANUARY 26)
QUARTER-FINALS
Saturday January 29
– Burkina Faso-Tunisia in Garoua (8 p.m. local time) – Match 45
– Gambia-Cameroon in Douala (5 p.m. local time) – Match 46
Sunday January 30
– Ivory Coast or Egypt-Morocco in Yaoundé, Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium (4 p.m. local time) – Match 47
– Senegal-Mali or Equatorial Guinea in Yaoundé, Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium (8 p.m. local time) – Match 48
SEMI-FINALS
Wednesday February 2
– Winner of Match 45-Winner of Match 48 in Yaoundé, Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium (8 p.m. local time)
Thursday February 3
– Winner of Match 46-Winner of Match 47 in Yaoundé, Olembé stadium (20 local time)
FINALS
Sunday February 6
– Match for 3rd place in Yaoundé, Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium (5 p.m. local time)
– Final in Yaoundé, Olembé stadium (8 p.m. local time)
