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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Nick Ames and Jonathan Wilson in Yaoundé

Africa Cup of Nations review: sorrow, anger and Mané’s redemption

Key moments from the Africa Cup of Nations (clockwise from left): Comoros left-back Chaker Alhadhur playing in goal; Senegal celebrate winning the tournament; workers disinfect a stadium from Covid-19; Vincent Aboubakar wins the golden boot; Mohamed Salah in action for Egypt, Cameroon players observe a minute’s remembrance for those who died in the crush before their game with Comoros.
Key moments from the Africa Cup of Nations (clockwise from top left): Comoros left-back Chaker Alhadhur playing in goal; Senegal celebrate winning the tournament; workers disinfect a stadium from Covid-19; Vincent Aboubakar wins the golden boot; Mohamed Salah in action for Egypt, Cameroon players observe a minute’s remembrance for those who died in the crush before their game with Comoros. Composite: Getty/AFP/Shutterstock

Abiding memory

This Cup of Nations was played under a shadow from the moment eight supporters died outside Olembe Stadium a fortnight ago. There is no excusing what happened at a venue surrounded by vast spaces and the depressing sense remains that its causes will be swept under the carpet. After driving back to Yaoundé the following day and speaking with Romaric, who had been in the ground and encountered people who had been caught up in the crush as he left, the horror of what had occurred started to become clear. A subsequent visit to the emergency hospital brought some harrowing testimonies; these are, sadly, the words and images that linger. NA

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