126 fans died in the Accra Sports Stadium disaster of 2001

On Tuesday, it will be five years to the day since Africa's worst football stadium tragedy.

On 9 May 2001, 126 supporters lost their lives while attending a league match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana.

Police attacked over deaths

The problems started when police fired tear gas into the stand containing Kotoko fans, who rioted after Hearts overturned a one-goal deficit to lead 2-1.

The month before, 43 fans died at another derby between arch-rivals in South Africa.

SA launches stadium probe

Overcrowding prompted yet another stampede during the league match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium.

Coincidentally, both Ghana and South Africa are hosting two major football tournaments in the next few years.

Ghana will host the 2008 African Cup of Nations while South Africa will become the first African country to stage the World Cup in 2010.

Are these countries ready to host these events?

What lessons has Africa learned in the five years since these tragedies?

What do you think of the security standards at stadiums across the continent?

Do the same problems remain - incompetent police, or greedy club officials still selling more tickets than there are spaces for the big games?

Do you feel safe attending football matches in African stadia?

Whoever you are and wherever you come from in Africa, let us know your thoughts on this matter - ranging from security for simple league games all the way up to top international qualifiers.

Please use the form on the right to send us your comments, some of which will be published below.

The sporting infrastructure in South Africa is by far the best on the continent and that explains why they won the right to host the first World Cup in Africa. Things have improved in Ghana since the 9 May disaster and they know that attention will focused on them in 2008. The future of football is very bright in Africa and there is no cause for alarm as far as hosting sporting events in the continent are concerned.
Ayo Orabiyi, Liverpool, UK

The most important issue with regard to security is the infrastructure across Africa meeting international standards. There should be emphasis on health and safety. In Ghana's case for instance, the policemen on duty were not only incompetent, the exit points from the stands were very narrow and that resulted in the deaths. Lets just remember that the stadium had a year earlier successfully hosted the Africa Nations Cup.
Andrew Martins, London, U.K.

The fact that Caf and Fifa have trusted Ghana and South Africa with the hosting of the Africa Nations Cup and the World Cup respectively shows that despite the tragedies in the past, both countries are very capable of hosting the events. Stampedes at soccer stadiums are a sad reality, because they can happen anywhere in the world. Having said that these two countries have to prepare well to forestall any tragedies.
Sebati Edward Mafate, USA

When the police fired the tear gas canisters towards the stand I was seated, I knew something horrible would happen. I recall covering my eyes a few months earlier when Hearts of Oak won the Champions League at the same stadium. I think we need to improve the facilities in our stadia and also train special security personnel to handle rioters in enclosed areas.However, I think fans are the major cause of riots. Fans are happy when their team is awarded a penalty but when it goes against then the referee is biased.
Douglas Quartey, Accra, Ghana

The people who died during the 9 May disaster in Ghana sacrificed their lives for the lack of professionalism in our police force to be exposed. But recent incidents in the country have shown that the police have learnt nothing from their past mistakes. They still some trigger-happy and jittery policemen who need urgent training to be able to match over big tournaments.
Adomako Acheampong Emma, Techiman, Ghana

Big international matches on the continent have been over protected by security personnel, which impacts negatively on the image of the game. I believe Ghana and South Africa will get it right security-wise when the time comes for the big tournaments. But I doubt if any significant lesson a have been learnt as far as local club derbies are concerned.
Opeyemi Ajala, Lagos, Nigeria

Football is football. It draws the largest crowd anywhere in the world and Africa is no exception. Despite all these problems we will continue to attend football matches. But the police also should not use too much force when trouble flares up.
Rono Peter, Nairobi, Kenya

The problem still exists across the continent. Enough has not been done to curb the issue of over crowding while police are yet to have solid training on policing football matches. A mishap at the 2010 World Cup finals will be a disaster for the continent as Africa would find it difficult to host another international tournament. However, a successful hosting of the World Cup should give countries as like Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco the confidence of hosting international tournaments in future.
Adekola Kolawole, Lagos, Nigeria