The Confederation (CAF) said they would send inspection teams to each of the candidate countries in the next few months before a decision was made at an executive meeting in Cairo in September.

They said there were joint bids from Benin and Togo amd from the two Congos - the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire, and Congo (Brazzaville). Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe were the other bidding countries.

The executive committee is deciding on the host of the competition, held every two years, for the first time. Up to now it has been determined by a ballot of all CAF member countries at their bi-annual congress.

Zimbabwean officials had two huge banners on display in the stadium in Harare on Sunday, declaring: 'The time is now for Zimbabwe to host the 2004 African Nations Cup.'

It was over these banners that police fired teargas leading to the stampede.

Angry fans had pelted the pitch with bottles and other missiles after Zimbabwe went 0-2 down in their World Cup qualifier against neighbours South Africa and the police responded with the gas.