Last Sunday’s stadium disaster in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan, that claimed nearly 20 lives must be a signal for the rest of Africa especially those of us along the West Coast to tighten security for the ongoing World Cup/Africa Cup qualifying series.

The disaster clearly overshadowed Cote d’Ivoire’s brilliant 5-0 win over Mali and as enquiries continue to probe the cause of the disaster,there should be no panic reactions but a sober reflection to avoid another wanton waste of human lives at a function meant for entertainment.

Ghana has had its fair share of such calamities in West Africa with the horrendous May 9 2001 episode at the Accra Stadium that claimed 126 lives topping the charts. I had the privilege of serving on the presidential commission that probed the May 9 disaster and among some of the important recommendations were that teargas should never be fired under any circumstances in an enclosed area as a means of crowd control or dispersal and firearms must not be taken on Stadium duties, but if found desirable or necessary must definitely not be taken into the arena. All organizers of football must take note.

It is reported that teargas was fired in the Abidjan incident to control the mad rush at the stadium precincts. The attraction to see in action our stars playing abroad is infectious. The 2012 World Cup, the first on African soil is so historic that every football fan in Africa wants to give moral support to her nation to be counted among Africa’s elite football nations hence the massive rush to the stadia. The various football associations have no choice but to learn the nuances of staging such high profile international matches.

Despite the hullabaloo about the May 9 episode, Ghana had a rude shock last February 8 when an overfilled Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi claimed seven lives in a league match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak. The warning signs from this disaster informed the authorities to tighten security in last Sunday’s Ghana- Benin World Cup qualifier and serious efforts were made and we had efficient crowd control. It is kudos to the Ghana Football Association.

It is my expectation that Cote d’Ivoire will quickly put its house in order and make the next home game in the series trouble free.

The same advice goes to Togo who should expect a massive home crowd after the ban on their home matches is lifted. The inconvenience of playing home matches on neutral grounds with its attendant heavy loss of revenue should guide the Togolese football authorities to plan well for the future.

These rampant stadium disasters don’t speak well of the continent and CAF must be on the look out.

March 30th 1998: FIFA and their World Cup referees forecast there would be no flood of red cards over the tackle from behind. They told reporters they were happy with the definition of the tackle from behind that comes into effect in the finals starting in France on June 10. "I really don’t think referees are going to go crazy and use a lot of red cards", David Will president of the world body’s referees committee said.

March 31st 1998: UEFA President Lenhart Johanson labelled FIFA Secretary General Sepp Blatter the puppet of his boss Joao Havelange as the two prepare for a vicious duel to get world soccer’s top job.

There is every indication that the 2010 World Cup qualifying series to pick the best five for South Africa will be a hectic race. Ghanaian football fans were privileged to witness two of the group stage matches in Accra and Kumasi involving Togo and Cameroun, Ghana and Benin and the similarities in the two matches were significant.

Togo’s 1-0 win over Cameroun in Accra was contrary to the experts’ prediction that made Cameroun the rank favourites. Togo played it hard and tough and when they got the curtain raiser they packed the defence and Cameron striker Samuel Etoo with all his skills could not find an antidote to the wonderful tight marking by Togo.

Ghana against Benin in Kumasi nearly followed the same pattern. Ghana the experts’ favourites were given a big scare by Benin who played it hard, packed their defence and made excellent use of their offside traps.

Luckily, Ghana had taken the lead within the first fifty seconds through Prince Tagoe’s fine connection from a Sulley Muntari precise cross from the left flank. The packed stadium obviously anticipating an oracle to be fulfilled nearly saw a miracle performed as Benin fought back gallantly and at certain stages even outsmarting the famous Black Stars in ball possession. It needed all the experience of Michael Essien and Co to hold the marauding Beninois who were inspired by some brilliant goalkeeping.

This narrow win is enough to put Ghana on top of their group following the 1-1 draw by Mali and Sudan in Khartoum. One may be tempted to say that the Black Stars were lucky to get an early goal but don’t forget the saying that “the end justifies the means”.

March 13rd 1998: FIFA was thrown into confusion today when its autocratic President Joao Havelange stormed out of a meeting before a vote could be taken on the future of General Secretary Sepp Blatter.

A five hour executive meeting called by a 13 strong majority to discuss Blatter’s position in June’s elections for President was coming to a vote when it was brought to an abrupt end by Havelange and Blatter walking out of the meeting room. Blatter repeatedly refused to answer questions from committee members about whether he intended to run for president or not.

March 24th 1998: Pele, Brazil’s Sports Minister celebrated today when President Fernando Henrique Cardoso signed into law his Bill to modernize the country’s chaotic sports ministry. The Pele law obliges professional sports clubs including Brazil’s poorly run soccer teams to observe business law and pay tax within two years.

March 28th 1998: Accra Hearts of Oak beat Real Tamale United (RTU) in a league match in Tamale and trouble erupted. According to a Daily Graphic newspaper report, RTU coach John Eshun and his assistant Mumuni Gamel were severely manhandled. Some fans threw sand into the eyes of the coach and slapped him from behind. One supporter attempted to pierce coach Eshun’s eye with a stick but he ducked and quickly ran to mingle with the Hearts players who were being escorted by the Police to board their bus.

The Chairman of RTU Alhaji Ibrahim Adam went to his aid and shielded him to the dressing room. Mumuni also ran to the dressing room to seek shelter. Coach Eshun told reporters later in an interview that such behaviour by RTU fans would discourage any coach from handling the club. "The team plays well away but they are full of nerves at home because of the supporters behaviour" said coach Eshun.

March 8th 1999: Brazilian soccer star Edmundo has been given a four and half year semi- open prison sentence for his part in a car crash in which three people died. Legal sources said however he is unlikely to end up behind bars, at least in the near future. His lawyers would appeal.

March 13th 1999: Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis fight to a draw but most ringsiders said Lewis was a clear winner as he completely outboxed Holyfield.

March 13th March 1999: Ghana and Nigeria have been picked to co-host the 2000 African Cup of Nations. A dramatic twist of football history, CAF took the decision in Conakry to strip Zimbabwe of the honour to stage the Games.

March 18th 1999: FIFA warns Zambian Government not to take any action that might be at variance with FIFA Statutes as it seeks to resolve the stand off with the Football Association of Zambia.

March 31st 1999: Accra Hearts of Oak beat Real Tamale United 2-1 in an outstanding league match in Tamale and there was drama toward the end of the game as reporters run for dear life. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation reporter Mahama Shaibu was assaulted. He was brutally caned and chased out of the park by some irate supporters of Real Tamale United.

March 1st 2001: Ghana Football Association Congress rejects management board accounts. Eight man committee set up to probe the Cup of Nations accounts presented by the GFA and the disbursement of $450,000 by CAF for the Cup of Nations organisation. The committee is chaired by Douglas Adjabeng, chairman of Division One League Board.

The Hawk is a bird noted for its wonderful ability to hunt for preys while simultaneously protecting its offspring. This is exactly what the Togo national football team that goes by the appellation The Hawks did in their first round match World Cup/Africa Cup qualifiers against The Indomitable Lions of Cameroun at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra on Saturday.

Thanks to an early goal in the first quarter of the game by Arsenal prodigy Emmanuel Adebayor, Togo collected maximum points to give them a brilliant start in the round robin tourney also involving Gabon and Morocco. The Togolese mounted a heavy barricade at the rear and all the brilliant efforts by Samuel Etoo of Barcelona fame and his fast running colleagues came to naught

Indeed Adebayor could have doubled the tally with about 10 minutes remaining but he rather lazily shot over the bar from the penalty spot after he had been fouled in the box.

The match was played in Accra following a FIFA home ban against Togo for crowd violence in an international match in Lome.

It was a big invasion of Togolese fans to Accra who had tacit support from the Ghanaian crowd and the stadium was almost filled up.

It may be recalled that Cameroun beat Ghana 1-0 in the semi finals of 2008 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Ghana.