(foto: Posnetek zaslona)
In one of the darkest moments in football history, a tragic stadium disaster in Guinea has left dozens dead and many more injured, exposing the fragile state of the nation’s football infrastructure and governance.
The western African nation of Guinea, rarely in global headlines for football, became the focus of international attention earlier this month for the wrong reasons. A disaster at the Stade du 3 Avril in Nzérékoré claimed at least 56 lives, according to official reports. Unofficial accounts from NGOs suggest the death toll could be as high as 135, with hundreds more injured.
A Match in Honor of Military Leadership Ends in Chaos
On December 1, the stadium hosted the final match of a local football tournament organized to honor Guinea’s military ruler, Mamady Doumbouya. The game between local team Nzérékoré and visitors from Labé, over 500 kilometers away, drew an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 spectators—far exceeding the stadium’s 5,000 capacity.
The stadium, already in disrepair after 15 years of incomplete renovations, was ill-equipped for such a crowd. With a dusty pitch and crumbling stands, conditions were ripe for disaster. The free entry and lack of crowd control compounded the risks.
The match had significant political undertones, with a trophy engraved with Doumbouya’s name paraded before the start. Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup, used the tournament to bolster his image ahead of yet-to-be-scheduled presidential elections.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The first half passed without incident, but tensions rose during the second half as contentious referee decisions angered fans. In the 82nd minute, a penalty awarded to Nzérékoré enraged Labé supporters, leading to stone-throwing and pitch invasions. The police responded with tear gas, triggering mass panic. Crowds rushed towards the main exit, only to find it locked by security personnel. The ensuing stampede resulted in the trampling of scores of spectators, many of them women and children.
The chaos was exacerbated by continued use of tear gas, even as fans struggled to escape. The aftermath was catastrophic, with dozens dead and many injured, and survivors recounting harrowing scenes of suffocation and desperation.
A Shocking Lack of Accountability
In the wake of the disaster, authorities promised an investigation but have reportedly sought to suppress information. Families of the missing were initially blocked from accessing hospitals and morgues, delaying the identification of victims. Many families are still searching for loved ones.
Guinea’s inability to host international matches due to substandard stadiums reflects broader failures in its football governance. The country’s football association, Feguifoot, is plagued by corruption, with its president, Aboubacar Sampil, implicated in scandals involving referee manipulation and incitement of violence.
A Broken System
Guinea’s football infrastructure is among the worst in Africa, with decrepit stadiums and a governing body rife with mismanagement. The Stade du 3 Avril tragedy has cast a harsh spotlight on these systemic issues, revealing a sport caught in the grip of political exploitation and neglect.
In response to the disaster, the government declared three days of national mourning. Prime Minister Bah Oury expressed condolences, but in a country where dissenters often disappear, accountability for such tragedies remains elusive.
As Guinea mourns, the tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the consequences of corruption, neglect, and the prioritization of political agendas over public safety.