The Algerian journalists who suffered a knife attack in Douala on the opening day of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) want to carry on their coverage in Cameroon. Mehdi Dahak, who owns an Algerian football website, says one colleague needed hospital treatment after suffering two “deep wounds” while he was cut in the face.
The incident happened on the opening day of the tournament, which was on Sunday, in which money, three phones and a passport were stolen. Just seconds after the three men left their hotel in the Bonapriso area of Cameroon’s largest city. The incident took place. Police have opened an investigation, while the Algerian ambassador in Cameroon has called a press conference on the issue already.
Dahak said: “He wants to continue the tournament.” “He has two deep wounds from the stab wounds. The knife touched the guy in the back. He was sewn up in hospital. He is resting. They attacked us 10 metres from the hotel.” Dahak believes the men were waiting in ambush. The hotel’s recorded CCTV footage shows the attack’s aftermath as the Algerian journalists heading out for dinner ran back into the lobby.
The stabbed journalist, Smail Mohamed Amokrane, is now out of the hospital, while the third reporter was not hurt. Cameroonian authorities came into this tournament, fielding questions about security. Speaking on the issue, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) says it is liaising with government authorities “to understand the details of this incident.