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Football in Africa has witnessed tragic stadium disasters often due to overcrowding and inadequate safety measures during high-stakes rivalries.
Rivalry in football is one of the essential aspects of the game and the thrill of watching two rival clubs face off creates an electrifying atmosphere especially in Africa.
African football stadiums have witnessed some of the most intense rivalries, but tragically, some games have ended in disaster due to overcrowding, structural failures, or poor security arrangements.
Pulse Sports looks at seven of the worst football stadium disasters in Africa, shedding light on the dangers that have marred some of the continent’s most beloved sporting moments.
1. Ellis Park Stadium disaster (South Africa)
The Ellis Park Stadium disaster remains one of the most tragic events in African football history. On April 11, 2001, during a derby between two of South Africa’s biggest teams, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, the stadium became overcrowded due to a surge of fans attempting to gain entry.
The excitement and rivalry between the teams drew an enormous crowd, with fans flocking from across South Africa to witness the match.
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As more people pushed their way into the stadium, the stands became dangerously packed, exceeding Ellis Park’s 60,000 capacity.
With no more space, fans who couldn’t see the match started climbing over barriers and filling aisles, creating a hazardous environment.
Unfortunately, the security and crowd management systems in place were overwhelmed by the numbers.
The result was tragic: 43 people were crushed to death, and hundreds were injured.
Following this incident, South African authorities enforced stricter regulations around stadium capacity, and clubs and stadiums were urged to improve safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
2. Accra Sports Stadium disaster (Ghana)
The Accra Sports Stadium disaster in Ghana is another dark day in African football with the worst recorded death toll in any African stadium incident.
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On May 9, 2001, two of Ghana’s top teams, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, were playing a match when the stadium filled beyond capacity.
Accra Sports Stadium, which holds around 40,000 spectators, had tens of thousands more than it could safely accommodate.
When Hearts of Oak scored a late goal, Kotoko fans began protesting by throwing bottles and other objects onto the pitch.
In response, police fired tear gas into the crowd, hoping to disperse the agitated fans. The tear gas, however, incited widespread panic, with fans rushing toward the exits in a chaotic stampede.
The situation worsened as gates were locked, trapping fans inside. In the end, 126 people were killed in the crush, and hundreds more were injured. This tragic incident led to widespread condemnation of police tactics and called for greater accountability in stadium safety measures across Africa.
Ghana commemorates this disaster every year keeping alive the lessons and memories of those who lost their lives.
3. Stade Tata Raphaël disaster (DR Congo)
The Stade Tata Raphael disaster in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, highlights the deadly consequences of inadequate crowd management in African stadiums.
On May 30, 2008, during a local match between TP Mazembe and DC Motema Pembe, tensions among fans escalated, leading to a violent confrontation. The rivalry between the teams drew a massive crowd, with more fans pushing into the stadium than it could safely hold.
In the heat of the clash, Congolese police resorted to tear gas to control the crowd. Panic set in among the fans, leading to a stampede toward the stadium’s limited exits. As people attempted to flee, they became trapped in the narrow pathways, resulting in a horrifying crush.
The disaster claimed the lives of 13 people and left dozens more injured. This tragedy spurred debates around the need for safer stadium designs and improved emergency response measures. In response, DRC authorities began reassessing crowd control protocols and stadium designs to ensure fan safety.
4. Port Said Stadium disaster (Egypt)
The Port Said Stadium disaster in Egypt is one of Africa’s most notorious stadium incidents, steeped in football rivalry and violence.
On February 1, 2012, during a match between Al Masry and Al Ahly, violence erupted between rival supporters. Al Masry fans, emboldened by a rare victory over Al Ahly, stormed the pitch, armed with weapons, sticks, and fireworks.
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The pitch invasion led to violent clashes as Al Ahly fans attempted to escape. The chaos was worsened by reports that security personnel were allegedly complicit in allowing the violence to escalate. Fans found themselves trapped within the stadium, leading to injuries and loss of life.
In total, 74 people were killed, and hundreds more were injured in the Port Said disaster. The incident led to a nationwide mourning period and forced Egyptian football to reexamine its security measures.
FIFA and the Egyptian government launched investigations, and the country saw a temporary suspension of its domestic league to review safety measures.
5. Olembe Stadium crush (Cameroon)
The Olembe Stadium crush during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations highlights the risks of overcrowding in African stadiums.
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On January 24, 2022, as Cameroon faced Comoros, thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium in Yaoundé, attempting to enter without tickets. Despite a stadium capacity limit due to COVID-19, the surge was uncontrollable.
With gates closed, a deadly crush ensued as people tried to force their way inside. Medical teams on-site were overwhelmed, and eight lives were lost in the incident. The tragedy sent shockwaves across Cameroon, resulting in immediate investigations and calls for better crowd management during large-scale events.
Following this event, Cameroon implemented stricter ticketing systems and crowd control measures in its stadiums. African football authorities were called upon to ensure safer environments for fans and stricter adherence to stadium capacity regulations.
6.Zamalek Stadium disaster - Cairo, Egypt
The Zamalek Stadium disaster in Cairo, Egypt, stands as one of Africa’s most tragic football events. On February 17, 1974, an overwhelming crowd gathered to witness an anticipated face-off between Zamalek SC and Dukla Prague.
With excitement high and thousands in attendance, the stadium became overcrowded, causing panic when fans rushed to enter. Many were pressed against barriers, resulting in asphyxiation and crushing injuries.
The crush intensified as fans struggled to find space in the overcrowded stadium. Emergency personnel were unable to manage the sheer volume of fans, leading to a chaotic response. The tragedy claimed the lives of approximately 48 to 50 fans, leaving a scar on Egyptian football history.
7. Nyayo National Stadium disaster (Kenya)
The Nyayo National Stadium disaster in Kenya marked a grim day for Kenyan football. On October 23, 2011, fans gathered to watch a match between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, two of Kenya’s biggest teams.
The excitement surrounding the match drew more fans than the stadium’s capacity, leading to overcrowding at the gates.
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As fans pushed to enter, a stampede ensued, trapping many individuals in the narrow entry points. Tragically, seven lives were lost in the crush, and numerous others were injured. Following this incident, the Kenyan government faced immense pressure to improve stadium safety and crowd management.
The Nyayo disaster led to a comprehensive review of stadium safety standards in Kenya. Regulations were introduced to limit ticket sales to the stadium's actual capacity, aiming to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
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