A requiem mass was on Monday held for the 9 footballers from Guinean second division side Etoile de Guinee who were killed in a grisly road accident along Mamou-Kankan Highway on Thursday.
A sombre mood descended at September 28 Stadium on Monday where thousands of mourners gathered to pay their last respects.
Guinea Football Federation (FGF) president Antonio Souare looked on as coffins draped in the country’s flag were carried into the stadium, located east of the capital, Conakry.
Mourners came to the arena carrying bunches of flower, while Etoile de Guinee officials, some in tears, were waiting at the pitch. Prime Minister Ibrahima Kassory Fofana and other officials also attended the solemn ceremony.
The question of road safety was brought to the fore once more with many speakers challenging the government to come up with recommendations on how to improve the road network in the country.
“We do not want to hear of future incidences of footballers perishing in likewise manner,” Souare told mourners.
The nine players plus the driver died in the accident while on their way to a league game against newly-promoted side Karfamoriyah FC de Kankan.
The accident took place at Timbo, with the 27-man Etoile de Guinee delegation having travelled together approximately 250 kilometres from the capital on a 650 km journey to Kankan.
A statement from the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection was released later acknowledging 19 injuries of which 17 were serious.
