Gabon ? Hundreds of soldiers deployed around Gabon’s soccer stadium for a World Cup qualifier Saturday as the country’s new president arrived and postelection violence continued for a third straight day.

Ali Bongo arrived at the stadium in a convoy of SUVs. He walked up to the VIP booth, then stepped forward to salute the crowd, wearing a cap saying “Gabon.”

On Friday, the country’s constitutional court declared Bongo the winner of last weekend’s divisive presidential race. Soldiers and riot police set up a perimeter around the stadium and stood guard at every entrance. Fans for the match against Cameroon were warned they would only be allowed inside if they had bought a ticket Friday.

The match began and the mood inside the stadium was tense. An Associated Press reporter saw police beat one man who tried to enter without a ticket.

Bongo, 50, is accused of having rigged last weekend’s election in which he ran against 17 other contenders. He is the eldest son of Omar Bongo, the country’s late dictator who died in June after a 41-year rule. Omar Bongo had been the longest-serving president until his death.