Stampede at Ghana qualifier

Serious overcrowding marred the build up to Ghana's vital 2010 World and Nations Cup qualifier against Lesotho in Sekondi, Ghana.

The 20,000-capacity stadium was already badly overcrowded when fans forced open the main gates, prompting a dangerous stampede.

At least two people have been taken away in an ambulance, and I saw medics taking a stretcher into the crowd.

The game kicked off on time despite the trouble.

It is the first time the Black Stars have played in Sekondi, prompting massive interest.

Security forces were badly outnumbered and were unable to do anything to stop the rush of fans into the ground.

They used the public address system to warn fans of the potential for a serious trouble.

Seating in the stadium was fully occupied well before kick-off with stairwells in the stands also full of supporters.

Later, once the game had kicked off, the military were called in to try and reinforce the police.

The match finished with a 3-0 win for the home team thanks to goals from Sulley Muntari, Junior Agogo and Matthew Amoah.

Ghana witnessed Africa's worst football disaster in May 2001 when 126 fans died during a football game between arch rivals Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.