Audio By Carbonatix
The qualification of hosts Equatorial Guinea for the quarter-finals has given organisers of the African Nations Cup a headache that in truth they should have foreseen.
Esteban Becker's side will take on Tunisia in the Last 8 on Saturday with the match scheduled for the 5,000-seater Estadio de Ebibeyin.
Given that the hosts have packed out the 35,000-seater venue in Bata for all their games so far, and the wave of euphoria that sweeping the nation following their progression to the knockout rounds, the venue is not just inadequate but potentially a massive safety hazard.
Security has not been up to scratch at the tournament so far, with Equatorial Guinea's opening game in Bata seeing fans breaking through fences to get inside.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) are quite obviously aware of the 'challenge', but for now the venue remains the same.
"We are fortunate that we have both our executive committee and organising committee here on the ground and they will look at all the scenarios." What may also swing the decision is the huge downpour at the venue on Monday night in the Group B clash between Zambia and Cape Verde that did severe damage to the pitch.
With the first quarterfinal on Saturday between Congo-Brazzaville and DR Congo, common sense would suggest that both matches be played at the country's largest venue as a double-header.
It is a situation that should have been foreseen though, unless CAF had little faith in Equatorial Guinea being able to make it out of the group phase.
As hosts they were always going to be placed in Group A and so why Ebibeyin was given one of the two quarter-finals to come out of the pool shows little foresight.
Latest Stories
-
MP urges stakeholders to prioritise education
13 minutes -
Fuel price intervention ‘not a subsidy’ but gov’t taking a hit to protect consumers – Richmond Rockson
13 minutes -
Government to forgo GH¢200m in revenue as fuel price cuts take effect
14 minutes -
Tsatsu Tsikata calls for compensation for SALL over 2020 electoral exclusion
15 minutes -
Tsatsu Tsikata says he holds no bitterness over imprisonment, calls for fairness in justice system
15 minutes -
We remain hopeful fuel prices will stabilise or drop – Richmond Rockson
20 minutes -
Ghanaian pastor, 14 others arrested in Canada over alleged homeless fund fraud
23 minutes -
Two suspects arrested over deadly attack on Berekum Chelsea team bus
34 minutes -
Ashanti Regional Minister inspects Common Fund projects in Atwima Kwanwoma
46 minutes -
Global climate outlook worrying despite Ghana’s progress – Minister
47 minutes -
Bono Minister cuts sod for 24-hour market at Odomase
47 minutes -
Cocoa farmers in Guan appeal to government over delayed payments
48 minutes -
Licensed Cocoa buyers urge gov’t intervention to ease farmers agitation, threats
48 minutes -
Fuel price cuts show Mahama gov’t is people-centred – Richmond Rockson
48 minutes -
Mahama arrives in Brazzaville for Sassou N’Guesso’s investiture
53 minutes