Thousands of people trooped to the Lilongwe's Bingu national stadium to watch a friendly game between between top sides Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers.

And in attempts to find seats it resulted in a stampede which eight people and several thousands injured in the crush.

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The BBC's Frank Kandu in Malawi said gates at the 40,000-capacity stadium were supposed to open at 06:30 local time (04:30GMT) to allow free entry of people - but there was a delay of about three hours.

However, thousands had already turned up, and some forced their way in.

Inspector General of Police Lexan Kachama told Reuters news agency he expected the number of casualties to rise.

The football match was being held as part of events to mark the 53rd anniversary of Malawi's independence from British colonial rule.