ANTANARIVO: One fan died and at least 40 were reported injured in a crowd stampede ahead of at an African Nations Cup qualifier between Madagascar and Senegal in Antananarivo.

Reuters reported that local hospital officials confirmed the fatality after fans tried to enter an already full Stade Municipal de Mahamasina in the country’s capital.

Spectators had been queuing outside the venue since early morning for the afternoon kick-off and once the 22,000 capacity venue was full officials closed the gates with hundreds still hoping to get in.

Police chief Herilalatiana Andrianarisaona told French radio station RFI: “The supporters wanted to get in but the gate was closed because the stands were full.

“The people in front couldn’t step back and other people arrived behind them in some numbers. This is what provoked the stampede.”

Madagascan sports minister Tsihoara Faratiana visited the injured in hospital along with the ministers of defence and health, as well as officials from the Malagasy football federation.

There was a minute’s silence for the victims before kick-off as the match started as scheduled and finished in a 2-2 draw.

The worst loss of life in Africa was at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana when 127 fans died in 2001 after police fired teargas into the stands after a league match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.

In 2012, at ledast 74 people were killed in Port Said after an Egyptian league match between Al Masry and  Al Ahly. Fans of Al Ahly blamed deliberate action by security services.

Last year, eight fans died in a stampede at a game in Malawi, while the same number were killed in a cup final in Senegal.

In July last year wo fans were killed in South Africa during a crush at an entrance gate for a pre-season friendly between Soweto sides Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Soccer City, the venue for the 2010 World Cup final.

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