Cameroon is to host the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament in January 2022. The games should be delayed because of the conflict, writes human rights activist and journalist Rebecca Tinsley.
The reported terrorist act was claimed by Fako Action Forces , according to local source
Journal du Cameroon. The explosion reportedly took place on the perimeter of the Limbe Stadium, just one of the venues designated to host Chan matches.
Referencing Radio Equinox, Camer Press Agency reported the explosion was caused by a homemade bomb, with the shadow government from the Ambazonia State in Cameroon having released the following reminder and warning in the days preceding the attack.
Images circulating on social media have also appeared to show evidence of the explosion.
Les séparatistes mettent le feu aux engins disposés devant le 2e terrain d entraînement de Limbe, en face du Botanic Garden. Selon des sources locales, ils s agirait d un avertissement.
CHAN Off to Explosive Start
January 18, 2021
The African Nations Championship got off to an explosive start on and off the field in Cameroon over the weekend.
On Saturday, the host nation beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in the opening match in Yaounde, but two days earlier, a bomb exploded outside the Limbe Omnisport Stadium, where Namibia is scheduled to play its matches.
According to goal.com there were no fatalities, but several vehicles were destroyed, while the local Fako Action Forces (FAF) claimed responsibility for the explosion.
According to the Cameroonian News Agency, attempts were also made to burn the walls of the stadium, while FAF issued a statement warning that Limbe, which forms part of the Fako region, will not be safe.
Despite the situation in Limbe, Taifa Stars coach Ndayiragije has maintained they have not been affected nor faced disturbing issues since they arrived in the town and they are preparing to play their opening match without focusing on what is happening there.
“We have been assured that there is tight security, and we have not been affected in any way since we arrived here, so our focus is on what brought us, to play in the tournament, and we have already set our targets and that is where we have turned our energy to,” Ndayiragije told
“We have asked the players not to be concerned about the situation, we are here to play and win our matches and we have to focus, and that is our main target here.”
There have been explosions outside Omnisport Stadium in Limbe on Thursday, according to reports, with the alleged separatist violence coming only days before Tanzania's Chan 2021 fixture against Zambia.