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In the wake of Guinea's thrilling victory over The Gambia in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2023, the nation was plunged into mourning as six fans lost their lives during the celebratory chaos.
The Guinean Football Federation (Feguifoot) and former football star Pascal Feindouno are now urgently appealing for calm amidst the fervent celebrations, as per reports from BBC
Guinea's Historic Win Sparks Nationwide Celebrations
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Guinea emerged victorious with a 1-0 win against The Gambia in their second group game, igniting widespread celebrations across the West African nation. The excitement and pride over this historic victory were palpable as fans took to the streets of the Guinean capital, Conakry, to celebrate their team's success, both in cars and on motorcycles.
Tragic Loss of Lives
Unfortunately, the exuberant celebrations took a tragic turn as six people lost their lives. Feguifoot confirmed these heartbreaking fatalities, urging the public to exercise caution during moments of jubilation.
Amadou Makadji, the media manager of Feguifoot, emphasized, "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's Passion for Football
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Guinea is a nation renowned for its passionate football supporters, and their dedication to the sport is unparalleled. The joy and enthusiasm that football brings to the Guinean people are treasured, and the tragic loss of lives during celebrations is a somber reminder of the need for safety amidst the revelry.
Pascal Feindouno's Plea for Calm
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Pascal Feindouno, a former star player for Guinea who played a crucial role in their three consecutive quarter-final appearances between 2004 and 2008, also joined the call for calm. He expressed his concern over the tragic incidents and urged Guinean fans to celebrate responsibly.
While speaking to BBC Sport Africa, Feindouno stated, "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."
Upcoming Challenges and Unity
As Guinea readies itself to face Senegal in another West African derby for the top spot in the group, the nation's unity and spirit will be put to the test. The Afcon 2023 tournament, which began on January 13, has already witnessed its share of highs and lows. Guinea, aiming for its first Afcon title after 14 attempts, looks to its passionate supporters to rally behind the team while ensuring safety during celebrations.
The tournament's final is set to take place in Ivory Coast's economic capital, Abidjan, on February 11. The hopes and dreams of Guinean football fans remain alive, but it is essential that these celebrations are marked by both joy and responsibility.
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