AFCON 2015: Violence Erupts as Ghana Beat Equatorial Guinea, CAF to Decide on Third-Place Match Conditions
By BBC Sport Africa
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations descended into chaos on Thursday evening during the second semi-final between Ghana and host nation Equatorial Guinea, as violent scenes erupted in the stands, leaving a trail of injuries and sparking widespread condemnation across the football world.
What should have been a showcase of African football turned catastrophic in Malabo. With Ghana comfortably leading 3-0, supporters of the host nation unleashed fury—first by hurling projectiles at Ghanaian players and later targeting the Black Stars’ fans in the stands. What followed was a chaotic scene of panic, as Equatorial Guinean fans clashed with riot police in what resembled a stadium-wide manhunt.
The situation grew so serious that the match was suspended for over 30 minutes. Security forces intervened with tear gas and even deployed a helicopter to calm the unrest. Eventually, play resumed—but only after Ghanaian supporters were evacuated for their safety and large sections of the home crowd were removed from the stadium.
Injuries Reported, Concerns Mount
Several individuals were reportedly injured during the turmoil, although official figures have not yet been confirmed. The exact number and severity of injuries remain unclear, but the images from Malabo painted a disturbing picture of a tournament spiraling out of control in its final stages.
CAF to Rule on Third-Place Play-Off
Equatorial Guinea’s campaign is not yet over—they are due to play DR Congo in the third-place play-off on Saturday. However, following Thursday night’s unrest, the very conditions under which that match will proceed are now under scrutiny.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee is meeting on Friday to determine whether the match should be played behind closed doors or under heightened security measures. With tensions still running high and public confidence shaken, fears are mounting that another violent episode could erupt if the stadium is filled again.
A Tournament in Crisis
This latest incident marks the darkest moment of what has otherwise been a spirited tournament. While Equatorial Guinea’s on-field success has been one of AFCON 2015’s biggest surprises, the events off the pitch are now threatening to overshadow the football entirely.
As the continent prepares for Sunday’s final between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in Bata, CAF faces a critical test in how it handles both the disciplinary consequences of Thursday’s violence and the safety of the matches to come.
AFCON 2015 Third-Place Play-Off: Equatorial Guinea vs DR Congo – Saturday, February 7
Final: Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire – Sunday, February 8, Bata Stadium
