AFCON 2015: Xenophobic Violence Erupts in Bata Following Equatorial Guinea’s Defeat to Ghana
By BBC Sport Africa
The semi-final clash between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations ended in far more than just a sporting defeat for the host nation. Following Nzalang Nacional’s 3-0 loss on Thursday night, scenes of violence, looting, and xenophobia broke out in the city of Bata, casting a dark shadow over the tournament.
What began as unrest in the stadium—where crowd trouble forced a 30-minute suspension of the match—soon spilled into the streets. Angry and disillusioned by the outcome of the match, some locals turned their frustration toward foreign residents, particularly West Africans from countries such as Cameroon, Mali, and Senegal.
Foreign-Owned Businesses Targeted
Shortly after the final whistle, several businesses owned by non-Equatoguineans were attacked in Bata. Shops, restaurants, and market stalls in districts like Santa Cruz were looted or vandalised. Eyewitnesses reported seeing traders flee their stores in fear, abandoning their goods as mobs moved through the streets.
“Cameroonian and Malian traders were running for cover,” said one observer who witnessed the chaos from an upper floor apartment. “Tensions were extremely high. You could feel the fear in the air.”
“Animals Who Come to Beat Us at Home”
The anger appeared to be directed not only at Ghanaian fans and players but also at foreigners in general—many of whom were wrongly associated with the Ghanaian victory or the Gabonese referee, Eric Otogo-Castane, who awarded a first-half penalty to Ghana. For some Equatorial Guineans, Otogo-Castane’s decision was seen as an act of revenge, given Gabon’s elimination earlier in the group stage at the hands of the hosts.
In one particularly troubling encounter, a group including a Gabonese driver and foreign journalists was verbally abused on the street. “Here are the animals who come to beat us in our own home,” shouted a woman in the local Fan dialect. Similar rhetoric could be heard later that evening, with calls to expel Gabonese nationals and other foreigners from the area.
Security Response and Aftermath
While no deaths or serious injuries were reported by the following morning, the situation remained tense. Police sirens echoed through the night, and security patrols were deployed to prevent further escalation. Streets were littered with broken bottles and trash dumped by angry youths.
The events in Bata echoed scenes from earlier in the tournament, notably in Tunisia, where violence broke out after the Carthage Eagles’ controversial quarter-final exit—ironically at the hands of Equatorial Guinea.
As CAF prepares for the AFCON final between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, the organisation now faces serious questions about the safety of players, fans, and residents. The aftermath of Equatorial Guinea’s semi-final loss serves as a grim reminder that football’s passion can turn dangerously volatile when misdirected.
