A stampede of supporters and the collapse of a stadium wall have resulted in 19 deaths prior to the CAF second group phase Group E match between Côte d’Ivoire and Malawi. Large numbers turned out at Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan hoping to see the match on SUN 29 MAR 2009; according to reports, spectators were pushed into a wall that collapsed, and the resulting panic in the crowd led police to fire tear gas. 19 were killed, and 132 injured, in the crush. The match was allowed to go ahead. A similar incident occurred at an earlier 2010 Men’s World Cup qualifying match between Liberia and Gambia on SUN 01 JUN 2008, leaving ten dead.

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of FRI 13-SUN 15 JUN 2008. more...

A crush at the stadium in Monrovia left ten spectators dead at the match between Liberia and Gambia on SUN 01 JUN 2008. According to the Liberia Football Association, overcrowding at Samuel K Doe Stadium caused suffocation at one of the gates prior to the match in CAF second round Group 6. Liberia has declared national mourning FRI 06-SUN 08 JUN 2008.