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CAF President Motsepe prioritizes safety for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, pledges "zero tolerance" approach following 2021 tragic incidents.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motsepe, has declared a "zero tolerance" policy for ensuring the safety of stadiums at the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON ).
With the tournament scheduled to kick off in January 2024 in Ivory Coast, Motsepe acknowledged the "avoidable" mistakes made during the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, which tragically witnessed the deaths of at least eight people in a crush outside Yaounde's Olembe Stadium.
Speaking at the draw for next year's competition, Motsepe emphasized the paramount importance of spectator safety, stating that "families have to be absolutely assured" that everything has been done to guarantee the safety of facilities and infrastructure in line with global best practices.
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Motsepe recognized the grave errors that occurred during the 2021 Afcon, particularly during the last-16 match between hosts Cameroon and Comoros when a gate at the Olembe Stadium was opened due to a heavy build-up of spectators. Despite this tragic incident, the stadium was still chosen as the venue for the final.
"Some mistakes were made, and some of those mistakes were avoidable," said Motsepe, commending the "absolute commitment" of all involved parties as per BBC.
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The South African administrator stressed the need for world-class infrastructure to host Africa's premier competition and underlined the ongoing efforts to ensure the overall excellence of the tournament's facilities.
Furthermore, Motsepe acknowledged the media's crucial role in holding organizers accountable to the highest standards. He expressed the importance of constructive criticism from the media to identify deficiencies and weaknesses.
"Part of the role of the media is to criticize us, to identify those areas where there are deficiencies and weaknesses," Motsepe stated, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between CAF and the media to address areas requiring urgent attention.
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Motsepe also praised the "excellent work" of Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi in preparing for the delayed 2023 tournament. Achi, who is temporarily in charge until the appointment of a new prime minister and government, emphasized the significance of preparation in ensuring the safety of Ivorian stadiums.
He described the process of conducting "test matches" as crucial to achieving a "zero tolerance" approach and addressing any potential issues well in advance. Achi expressed confidence in the preparations, stating, "we think that we'll get there right on time ready for a very, very, very, very big event."
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to begin on January 13, 2024, with Ivory Coast hosting Guinea-Bissau in the opening match. The final of the tournament is set to take place on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
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