A minute of silence will be observed at the Africa Cup of Nations this weekend in memory of the scores killed and hundreds injured when rival fans clashed in Egypt.

"African football is in a state of mourning," said Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Hayatou, in the Equatorial Guinea capital of Malabo for Saturday's Nations Cup quarter-final between Zambia and Sudan, said CAF had sent a message of condolence to the Egyptian Football Association.

A minute of silence will be observed at the quarter-final matches in Malabo, Bata, Libreville and Franceville, CAF announced.

In a statement CAF recalled that it had close ties with Egypt as Cairo has served as the headquarters of African football's governing body since its inception in 1957.

At least 74 people were killed when pandemonium broke out after a league game between Al Masry and Al Ahly in Port Said on Wednesday.