The Guinean Football Federation and the national team asked the fans to moderate their celebrations after six people were killed following the 1-0 victory over Gambia in the African Cup of Nations last Friday.
Guinean fans went out celebrating in the streets across the country after the victory, which put coach Kaba Diawara’s team on the path to qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament held in Ivory Coast.
Guinea advanced to second place in Group C with 4 points, two points ahead of defending champion Senegal, which has already qualified for the round of 16, and three points ahead of third-placed Cameroon.
The Gambia national team remained at the bottom of the group standings without points.
Guinea strengthens its hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 with victory over Gambia
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#Africa_Cup of Nations | #Guinea_Gambia #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/VzmAwFdDqy— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 19, 2024
The Federation broadcast a video clip of the team asking fans to celebrate responsibly as they prepare to face Senegal in the final round of the group stage tomorrow, Tuesday.
Al-Ittihad media director Amadou Makadji said, “What is important is that our fans and fans in general celebrate in a very measured way. They must be very careful not to put themselves in danger, because the goal of football is to bring happiness and not leave families sad.”
Guinea will qualify for the round of 16 in the event of a draw with Senegal, and can qualify even if it loses depending on other results.
“We don’t want to mourn the dead, so we call on everyone to celebrate but to take care of themselves so that nothing happens to them,” Makadji said.
“Guinea is a country where people have a very strong passion for football and enjoy it like no other place in the world,” he added.
