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19 dead in Cote d'Ivoire football stadium crush
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-03-30 08:39

19 dead in Cote d'Ivoire football stadium crush
Didier Drogba (R) of Cote d'Ivoire fights for the ball with Zakazaka Jimmy of Malawi during their World Cup 2010 and African Cup of Nations qualification soccer match at Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan March 29, 2009. [Agencies]
PERFECT START

The Cote d'Ivoire Coast made a perfect start with a first- minute goal from Christian Koffi Ndri before Drogba's double ensured a 3-0 halftime lead. His Chelsea team mate Salomon Kalou added a fourth midway through the first half before Marseille striker Bakary Kone completed the rout.

The Ivorians share top place with Burkina Faso, who claimed a 4-2 home win over Guinea in Ouagadougou on Saturday.

Ghana's Black Stars also scored a first-minute goal in their Group D qualifier against Benin in Kumasi but were unable to add to Prince Tagoe's effort.

19 dead in Cote d'Ivoire football stadium crush
Firefighters carry a man injured in a stadium crush during the 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match between Cote d'Ivoire and Malawi at Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan March 29, 2009. [Agencies]
African champions Egypt suffered a major setback when they let a lead slip in their Group C match at home to Zambia in Cairo.

They were held to a 1-1 draw after taking a first-half lead through striker Amr Zaki, who sneaked behind the defence to convert a clever cross.

But a simple corner routine enabled Francis Kasonde to equalise 10 minutes into the second half.

Mozambique had two efforts disallowed in their 0-0 draw at home to Nigeria, who might have snatched an undeserved win at the end of the Group B game in Maputo when Obafemi Martins shot into the side netting.