Six Guinean supporters died while celebrating their country’s first victory at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
While talking to BBC Sport Africa recently, the Guinean Football Federation, Feguifoot, said that the incident happened during a celebratory event on the streets of Conakry, the capital of Guinea.
Fans jubilated by driving cars and riding motorcycles.
Guinea won the match against The Gambia in their second group game in Ivory Coast recently, sparking joyous celebrations throughout the West African nation.
Feguifoot media manager, Amadou Makadji, said: “What is important is that our fans and the public celebrate in a very measured fashion.
“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. 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.
“Guinea is a country where people are very, very passionate about football and they experience football like nowhere else in the world.”
Meanwhile, Pascal Feindouno, one of the major players in the Guinea sides that reached three straight quarter-finals between 2004 and 2008, also urged the fans of the team to be calm.
While talking to the BBC in Yamoussoukro, where the team is based, the 42-year-old who played at four Nations Cups said: “I have a message to send to Guinean men and women,”
“Rest assured that we will do something at the Nations Cup but we have learned something that will destabilize us. We learned there were deaths after the victory against The Gambia – we want this to stop because we are here to defend the colours of the country.
“Everything is going well for us at the moment so support the country but don’t do anything to kill each other or oneself. Stay calm. Thank you.”
