Fan Dies in Crush Before Zimbabwe vs DR Congo Qualifier

A fan died on Monday night in a crush at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, at the start of the World Cup qualifier — the sides were competing for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations — between Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Zimbabwean police confirmed the death and said investigations were under way.

Police said the victim fell during a human surge at gate two at 18:30 local time, just as the match was kicking off, and that the incident involved a crowd-control police vehicle and a pedestrian. They offered condolences to the victim's family and said rapid and thorough investigations were being carried out.

By all accounts, the crush built up at a gate where ticket holders grew impatient amid tightened security for the visit of Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was at the stadium. Footage examined by the news portal ZimLive shows an Israeli-made riot-control vehicle fitted with a water cannon advancing quickly toward gate two, where a group of fans appeared to be trying to force their way in. In the resulting crush, one person fell and was struck by the vehicle.

Zimbabwe lost 2-1 to the DRC. It was their first match at the National Sports Stadium in five years, the ground having been under a FIFA ban until an extensive renovation was completed.