A night that was meant to mark the Warriors’ long-awaited return home ended in tragedy and defeat on Monday, after one person died in a stampede at the National Sports Stadium shortly before the Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of Congo match.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed that “swift and comprehensive” investigations are under way following a fatal incident involving a police public order vehicle and a pedestrian at Gate 2. The incident occurred at 1830 hours, as the match was getting under way, and one person died during the stampede.
In a statement, the Commissioner-General of Police extended his “profound condolences” to the bereaved family. The force assured the public that the investigation would be objective and thorough, aimed at establishing exactly what transpired.
“A detailed statement will be issued in due course,” Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Chief Staff Officer to the Commissioner-General of Police said, in a statement.
The circumstances remain unclear. Police have not said whether the pedestrian was the person who died, how the vehicle came to be involved in the crowd surge at the gate, or whether other people were injured.
The identity of the deceased has also not been released.
The tragedy cast a shadow over an occasion that had drawn huge public excitement. The match was Zimbabwe’s first at home in five years, and supporters had flocked to the stadium to welcome the Warriors back to their own ground.
On the pitch, the hosts fell 2-1 to DR Congo, their first ever home defeat to the Central Africans. For many fans, the result was overshadowed by news of the loss of life outside the stadium.
Questions are likely to be asked about crowd management, gate control and the deployment of police vehicles around the venue.
Football authorities are yet to comment on the incident.
