Senegal will experience one of its biggest moments in the African Cup with the clash against Ivory Coast this Monday evening. Senegalese supporters were attacked on Wednesday night by Ivorians in their headquarters.
A night of terror descended upon the “12th Gaindé” HQ in Yamoussoukro, in the 220-33 neighborhood. During last Wednesday night, Senegalese supporters were targeted by jubilant Ivorian fans following their country’s qualification for the round of 16, thanks to Morocco’s victory over Zambia.
Aly Diallo, an eyewitness, recounts: “It was on Wednesday night, around 11 p.m., that Ivorian supporters passed by our headquarters to celebrate Morocco’s victory, which qualified Ivory Coast for the round of 16. There were between 500 and 600 of them. Some began tearing down the Senegal flag in front of our door.”
Senegal vs Ivory Coast, an account of a nocturnal attack
“They also threw stones at our HQ. As the security officer, I asked everyone to remain calm and not to retaliate. Fortunately, we did not respond to the provocation. There were no confrontations or injuries because they couldn’t get inside,” he said, as reported by L’OBS. “Later, the police arrived and patrolled before leaving. Around one in the morning, another group came on motorcycles without causing any damage. There were between 20 and 30 people celebrating in front of our HQ,” he added.
Senegalese supporters received visits from several Ivorian authorities to offer apologies for the attack. They promised to enhance security for Senegalese citizens. According to Les Echos, a meeting was held yesterday at the regional prefecture of Yamoussoukro. Following the release of a video by a supporters’ committee member showing the attack carried out by young Ivorians after their team’s qualification, Gando Koulibaly, the prefect of the Yamoussoukro region, summoned Malaw Diop, president of the Association of Senegalese residents in the region, and Ibrahima Dia, president of the 12th Gaindé in the same city.
In a firm tone, he expressed his discontent with the video. “What matters is that those who came for the CAN have a good stay. Regardless of who wins the competition, the essence is African brotherhood,” he lamented. “Unfortunately, after the Morocco-Zambia match, in which Ivory Coast was qualified for the next round, some youths, in their euphoria, approached a Senegalese HQ to commit reprehensible acts. According to what has been reported to me, some threw stones.”
Senegal vs Ivory Coast, it will happen on the field
In front of his colleagues and in the presence of law enforcement, he addressed the Senegalese delegation: “If such events occur, the first thing to do is to address the authorities. In the street, nobody can control the youths when they are happy.”
“I also deplore the fact that a Senegalese person disseminated a video online claiming that Ivorians are threatening us. I really didn’t appreciate that. This person is not helping us in any way; their intention was to tarnish the image of Ivory Coast. That’s not acceptable. Even if all the youths in Yakro wanted to attack you, would it happen like this? If that were the case, we wouldn’t be dealing with stone-throwing,” he added.
He then took out his phone and showed the video to the Senegalese delegation. “This cannot be premeditated, it’s impossible. Where was this person during the attack? How did you defend yourselves? I’m not satisfied with this,” he stated. The prefect asked the Senegalese supporters’ committee to raise awareness among young Senegalese to prevent such situations from recurring.
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