|
 |
| The equation is clear for both sides [GALLO/GETTY] |
Friday, November 17, 1989, was a fateful day.
Cairo's notoriously busy streets were left deserted.
After returning from Friday prayers, families huddled in their living rooms to watch the much anticipated encounter between the Egyptian National team and Algeria – a game that would who will be the second team to represent Africa in the 1990 world cup.
Back then, Egyptian TV was the only broadcaster available.
Egypt beat Algeria 1-0 thanks to a fourth minute header by the legendary Hossam Hassan.
It was the second time the Egyptian team qualified for the World Cup (the first being in 1934), an achievement it hasn't been able to repeat since.
Twenty years later, Egypt (the Pharaohs) clash again with Algeria (the Desert Foxes) on Saturday, November 14, for a place in next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
The current equation
The Pharaohs trail the Foxes by three points in the African group C table.
Egypt must beat Algeria by a three goal margin if they want to go through directly.
If they win with only two goals the Pharaohs will go to a play-off on November 18 against the Desert Foxes in a neutral pitch.
Fifa has decided that venue will be in Sudan.
The game has been all what Egyptians and Algerians are talking about for a month, in the street, in coffee shops, on internet forums and at home.
Both teams have a long rivalry – making their clashes some of North Africa's most bitter derbies.
A long wait
The Algerians have been absent from the world's most prestigious football event since their participation in Mexico in 1986.
They were held back by long years of political instability and violence, which is why they long to return to the world stage with a young but strong squad led by a national coach Rabeh Saadan.
The vast majority of Algerian players are professionals in Europe including Karim Zayani, Rafiq Al-saifi, Kareem Matmour and Majid Bougara. They camped in Italy ahead of the crunch qualifier.
 |
| Can the experience of Egypt overcome the youth of Algeria? [GALLO/GETTY] |
The Egyptians who are also led by a national coach, Hassan Shehata, enter the game with a team nearing retirement after major achievements, including clinching the African Cup of Nations twice in 2006 and 2008.
The team showed great promise during the Fifa Confederations Cup in South Africa in June: losing narrowly to Brazil 3-4, beating world champions Italy 1-0, before failing to retain their composure against the USA to lose 3-0 and exit the tournament.
The squad is mostly from home-based footballers that include Mohamed Abou Treika, Amr Zaki, Emad Meteb, Ahmed Hassan and Mohamed Barakat. Borussia Dortmund’s Mohamed Zeidan is the most prominent pro playing in Europe.
To defuse the tension preceding the game, official media reminded fans of both teams of the brotherly Arab ties between the two countries; and the nations' foreign ministers have exchanged phone calls.
Tension builds
Officials are hoping to avert the violence that marred the 1989 World Cup qualifier when Algeria's Lakhdar Belloumi attacked an Egyptian fan and blinded him in one eye.
However, signs don't bode well after the Algerian team were allegedly attacked on their way to the team hotel by youths throwing stones.
The Algerian government say four players were injured in the attack and Fifa are monitoring the situation.
The Egyptian football association granted Algerian fans 2,000 tickets while seventy six thousand Egyptians are expected to watch the game from the stands amid tight security measures.
Fifa's chief Sepp Blatter is expected to personally attend the game and the world football body has warned both teams to stick to fair play.
There maybe an abundance of scenarios as to how the day may proceed, but one thing’s for sure; Cairo’s normally busy streets will be deserted once more, as Egyptians dedicate all their attention to that game, hoping their team would once again become a source of national pride.
|