SA: Here we come

KHARTOUM

Sudan clamped down on security on Wednesday as Algerian fans celebrated victory in a tense match against Egypt, which clinched Africa’s last place in the 2010 World Cup finals.

Thousands of Egyptian and Algerian fans flew in for the play-off in Khartoum which Algeria won 1-0. Police feared a repeat of violence around the Saturday match between the two rivals in Cairo, when 20 Algerian fans were injured and three players suffered cuts after Egyptians stoned their team bus.

Jubilant Algerians waved flags and fireworks, cheering their first qualification for the World Cup finals in almost quarter of a century.

"In Sudan the team was welcomed, they felt safe, that’s why they got the result ... This is a justification," said one Algerian fan called Mohamed.

A single goal from Antar Yahia secured Algeria’s trip to South Africa next year in a tough match marked by many fouls.

At least five fans were stretchered away with injuries during celebrations, witnesses said.

Westerners and U.N. staff were urged to stay well away from the stadium as 15,000 extra police kept tight control over 35,000 supporters in Khartoum’s Al Merreikh stadium.

Heavily armed security forces fired tear gas to chase away thousands of Sudanese fans waiting outside, witnesses said.

Egyptian fans filed quietly out of the stadium.

Residents feared violence could follow the match but police stationed themselves throughout the capital.

Algerian Minister of National Solidarity Djamal Ould Abbes called the Cairo violence "unacceptable and uncivilised", and called on the governing body to take action.

"FIFA must suspend Egypt for one or two years from any match," he told Reuters. "Shame, shame, shame."

However, Algerian coach Rabah Saadane told Reuters the team had recovered mentally from the Cairo incident.

In Khartoum, some Algerians said they wanted revenge and others made threatening gestures at Egyptian supporters. In the stadium, Algerians taunted their opponents with posters saying "Misrael", a mixture of the Arabic words for Egypt and Israel.

Hospital sources said fans had been treated for minor injuries in Khartoum as scuffles broke out before the match.

 

 

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