Hundreds of fans have been streaming into the Limbe Omnisport Stadium to watch matches of the ongoing Africa Nations Championship, CHAN. Before this tournament, there had been fears that fans will not be allowed to watch matches for the competition.

The number of fans watching game for this competition was limited to 25 per cent. This is expected to go up in the semi-finals and final with 50 per cent attendance expected.

Football enthusiasts streamed the Limbe Omnisport Stadium to spectate Group D matches.  The fans, some dressed in traditional attires, and others holding the flags of the teams playing, showing the beautiful nature and camaraderie that has so far been shown in the competition.

“It’s just because we’ve limited the number of people who have to get into the stadium, otherwise, I would have wanted to come with my whole family,” a fan said.

The 20,000-seat Limbe Omnisport Stadium saw a buzz of activities before the opening match in Group D between Zambia and Tanzania. The number of fans equally increased with the arrival of Guinea, whose fans had to travel from Douala and some even from Yaounde just to watch their team play.

“The atmosphere is very good, that’s fine with me, but you know that with the health situation, it’s going to put a brake on a lot of things. But you already know that Cameroonians are football fans. Even if there is anything we are always brave. The atmosphere can only be as good as it was before,” another fan said.

“This CHAN… means a lot to us,” said Joseph Mbah who had travelled from the North West Region to follow the games in Douala. “With all the security and health crisis, the competition is not just a game but a symbol of hope for our country,” he added while struggling to join the queue.