Salima Mukansanga, the first woman to officiate an Africa Cup of Nations match, says female referees deserve their place.

France 24 takes a look back at all the drama, shocks, history made on the pitch and major talking points off it so far at the Africa Cup of Nations ahead of the round of 16.

At least 16 people have died in a fire at a disco in an upmarket district of Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, the government says. The disaster comes as the country hosts the AFCON football tournament.

The Super Eagles won all their three group games but came unstuck against Tunisia's Carthage Eagles in Garoua. What promised to be a long campaign was brought to an abrupt end at the first knockout stage.

Persecution, prosecution and public shaming have led to a new wave of solidarity among women in Egypt. Could this kind of grassroots movement gain enough power to change the difficult situation on the ground?

At least eight fans dead after a stampede at the Yaounde Olembe Stadium in Cameroon before the host nation's round of 16 game in the Africa Cup of Nations against Comoros, the national broadcaster reports.

Africa's biggest football tournament is on in Cameroon and Rwanda's Salima Rhadia Mukansanga is the first woman to referee a match at the AFCON tournament. Salima took charge of the Zimbabwe vs Guinea game on January 21 and managed the men with grace and firmness.

Hosts Cameroon overcame a resilient, goalkeeperless Comoros team 2-1 to progress to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. But the result was overshadowed by events which took place outside the stadium in Yaoundé, where a stampede tragically claimed at least eight lives. Earlier in the day, Gambia's dream run continued as they edged out Guinea, winning their first ever knockout game in their maiden tournament. The Scorpions will go head-to-head against Cameroon at the Douala stadium on Saturday for a place in the semi-final. Jean-Emile Jammine is joined by Sports Editor Simon Harding and James Vasina.

As football fans reel over the deaths of at least eight people outside Olembe Stadium, questions have been raised as to how the tragedy unfolded. There had been concerns about poor preparation ahead of the tournament.

The Pharaohs of Egypt claimed the enormous scalp of the Ivory Coast as they won their last 16 clash on spot kicks 5-4 in Douala on Wednesday evening. Eric Bailly missed the crucial spot kick for the Elephants while star man, Mohamed Salah converted to send his team through. The second game was almost a carbon-copy with no goals scored over 120 minutes between Mali and Equatorial Guinea. But it was the Northern Thunder who won 6-5 on penalties after Mali's, Falaye Sacko had his effort saved.

The Pharaohs played a goalless draw with the Elephants of Ivory Coast in Douala but went on to win after a penalty shoot-out. The seven-time champions are still on course to stretch their record.

The Ebo rainforest in Cameroon is part of the second-largest tropical forest in the world. It is home to rare primates including gorillas. But poachers and logging companies threaten the forest and its inhabitants.