The joyous celebration of Guinea’s national football team, Syli National’s 1-0 victory over Gambia in the Africa 2023 Cup of Nations, took a tragic turn as six people lost their lives in the aftermath of the win. The incident occurred when enthusiastic fans took to the streets in Conakry, the Guinean capital, celebrating the triumph.
Reports confirm that the deaths occurred as a result of a collision between two vehicles traveling at high speed. The Guinean football federation expressed sorrow over the fatalities and noted that there were also several injuries from the unfortunate incident.
Former Guinea football star Pascal Feindouno, currently with the team in Yamoussoukro, called for calm amid the celebrations.
In a message to Guinean citizens, he urged restraint, emphasizing the need to celebrate responsibly and avoid actions that could lead to harm or loss of lives.
“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 colors 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,” Feindouno stated in an interview with the BBC.
A spokesperson for the Guinea football federation echoed the call for measured celebrations, emphasizing that while football is meant to bring joy, it should not result in tragic consequences. Guinea is known for its passionate football fans, and the federation urged them to celebrate safely, ensuring that the festivities do not turn into mourning.
Part of the statement read “Guinea is a country where people are very, very passionate about football, and they experience football like nowhere else in the world.”
As Guinea prepares for its next match against Senegal on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, there is a collective hope for a more measured and secure celebration to prevent further tragedies.
