BBC Sport Online: Sports Talk

What now for African football?

But could it have been prevented? And where now for African football?

It wasn't too long ago that the final game of the African Women's Cup of Nations in South Africa was marred by violence too.

And a few months ago, more than a dozen people were killed during violence at a football game between Zimbabwe and South Africa, in Harare.

Even as the relatives of the victims prepare to bury the dead from this latest tragedy, the post-disaster debate and analysis is already underway as shocked and concerned people seek answers to pertinent questions.

How could this have happened? Was this disaster due to greed and poor organisation? Could it have been avoided?

Have South Africa's chances of hosting the 2010 World Cup been dealt a final blow?

Have your say about the issues. Send us your thoughts.

It leaves African football where English football was in 1989, in mourning. It also provides the spark to build a new vision, similar to that which was forged in Europe. Hopefully police officers will not be scapegoated in Africa. The sport in Africa has a unique chance to become world leaders within 20 years, if the administrators can evolve beyond the Tribal Chief mentality. They can look deep into their souls and rise again or they can seek to blame: the choice is theirs.
Rhys Jaggar, England

If you think about it there was the Hillsborough disaster which took a long time to rest but what has happened has happened and British football got back to normal so so should the African football. You can't let a tradegy stop you. When the Titanic sunk they keptb uilding ships. Never give up.
Todd Baker, England

Where was the rugby World Cup Final held not so long ago? Why is it then that when the sport that is supported by the vast population of South Africa has a tragedy, that we have to question whether they deserve to host it? Are people in South Africa not capable of learning lessons from this terrible tragedy, as people did in Europe form Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies?
Oliver Rankin, Scotland

Quite why FIFA should contemplate South Africa as hosts is beyond belief. Here is a country where the miasma of its tragic past is still pungently in the air. The World Cup Finals represent a 'celebration' and to celebrate so close to all that tragedy would be really shameful and crass.
Peteru Oshikiisetemi, United Kingdom

This once again demonstrates that Africa is not yet ready to host an international competition the size of the World Cup. The South Africans should be encouraged to concentrate their energies and money on sensible development. They should start by hosting low-key regional, continental and international invitational tournaments with limited entries. It seems a peculiar African failing to want to 'build a house' starting with the roof rather than the foundation!
Oguntimoju Akinjide, United Kingdom

Tragedies occur not only in Africa. Many people lost their lives and somebody is looking for a scapegoat. They say only bad news come from Africa. The organisers tried by selling the tickets in advance which was a foresight into what may happen. It was an accident and Africa is not the only place prone to accidents.
Eric Odanga, Kenya

What has happened in South Africa is simply an accident that can happen elsewhere. It has happened in most footballing nations and so it should not affect the bid for South Africa to host the World Cup. These events have occurred in England and South America so Africa should not be discriminated when it comes to such events.
Davy Siame, Zambia

In the event of seeking happiness, the unfortunate seeked death. I know that those who died did not want to die, but lack of security or I can say, poor organization resulted in this calamity. No World Cup to any African Nation.
Lloyd Mungadze, Zimbabwe/USA

What happened in South Africa is very regrettable but should not affect their bid to host the 2010 World Cup. Such a thing can happen anywhere. Let this never be an excuse to deny Africans the opportunity to host the World Cup in the near future.
Andy, UK

There is no 100% security for fans anywhere in the world. What happened in South Africa has happened before in Europe and South America. The most important thing for any country bidding to host an intercontinental tournament is to minimise the chances of stampedes and other incidences occuring. As soccer fans who value the game for its ability to unite people, we should be happy that the South African stampede took place this year, nine years away from any African country hosting the world cup. South Africa and other African countries have the chance now to learn more about how security can be enhanced before they actually host the World Cup.
Anthony Musonda, Zambian student in Germany

In Africa, sports authorities seem to be more concerned about financial rewards from gate proceeds than the welfare and safety of the spectators. Fifa and Caf must now insist on all-seating facilities for all their competitions and major club competitions. Some people might argue that there is no money to do that but what are they doing with the grants?
Steve L. Kenneh, Liberia

In Africa, sports authorities seem to be more concerned about financial rewards from gate proceeds than the welfare and safety of the spectators. FIFA and CAF must now insist on all-seating facilities for all their competitions and major club competitions. Some people might argue that there is no money to do that but what are they doing with the grants from FIFA and CAF?
Steve L. Kenneh, Liberia

Can I just remind people of Hillsborough in 1989. Seven years later England got Euro 96. It would be incredibly unfair if South Africa didn't get the 2010 World Cup, nine years is a long time to learn from mistakes, as England proved.
Jonathan Milne, UK

It is a pity that so many lives were lost in what was to be a happy event. This is not the first time that that tragedies like this have happened. Even in developed countries, such events can happen albeit at a lower scale. Having said that, I do not think that Africa should not bid for hosting the World Football cup. There is enough time to prepare to avoid a calamity like this happening again when holding big tournaments in the future.
Hilary Binta, Uganda/USA

Any country that has this sort of thing happen does not deserve to hold international football matches. Immediate sanctions should be placed upon them and this should not be removed unless a clear indication that this sort of tragedy can be prevented is sorted.
Jim Rocker, Australia

This shouldn't make any difference to their chances of hosting the World Cup in 2010. After all, football tragedies happen in Europe as well as in South America or anywhere else.
Felix , St Louis, USA

This is no doubt a devastating blow to South Africa's chances of hosting the World Cup in 2010. The depressing thing is that the detractors of African football and of African people will make the most negative use of this incidence as they can.
Moses Ebe Ochonu, Nigeria/USA

I am really not surprised but what happened at Ellis Park. I went to South Africa in January and saw the national team play Burkina Faso. Tickets were available on the door and at half-time we moved to a better position. Luckily that day all went well but a few simple security measures would have saved many a life in Johannesburg. Tiickets should be sold beforehand to prevent such tragic circumstances.
Graham Meadows, France