The death of at least eight football fans in Monrovia at Liberia's game with the Gambia has overshadowed the start of Group 6 qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

A doctor says the fans died of suffocation during the game at a stadium in Liberia's capital.

The Liberian Football Association's chief doctor Sam Harris says the victims' bodies were taken to the country's main hospital.

The game eventually finished 1-1, with Mustapha Jarju scoring the goal for the Gambia after 15 minutes.

Senegal struggled to a 1-0 victory at home to Algeria in Dakar.

The only goal of the game came in the 80th minute from Abdoulaye Faye, who plays for Newcastle United in the English Premier League.

The Algerian players claimed the ball had not crossed the line but television replays confirmed that the goal was legitimate.  Algeria also had a goal disallowed for off-side.