Cameroon players donate knockout stage bonuses to victims of deadly Olembe Stadium stampede

Cameroon national team players federation president Samuel Eto’o if their bonuses for qualifying to the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages can be donated to the victims of last Monday’s deadly stampede at the Olembe Stadium, per ESPN.

Eight supporters were killed and a further 38 were injured in a crush outside the stadium’s south entrance ahead of Cameroon’s last-16 win over Comoros.

Each Cameroon player receives $85,000 for reaching the knockout rounds of the tournament.

The Indomitable Lions asked the FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o that their bonus of 50,000,000 CFA ($85,585) for their qualification to the last 16 at the AFCON be given to the victims of the stampede that took place at Olembe on the 24 January,” team spokesman Serge Leopold Guiffo told ESPN.

“The request was made after their quarterfinal match against The Gambia in Douala [on Saturday 29 January] and of course Eto’o agreed, it’s up to the players what they do with their money.”

Cameroon dedicated their 2-0 quarterfinal win over Gambia on Saturday to the victims of the disaster. The tournament hosts, who are seeking a sixth Afcon title, will now return to the Olembe to face seven-time champions Egypt in a semifinal match on Thursday.