Zizou joins Fennecs fans in Cairo for Cup qualifier
2009-11-12
Cairo's streets are flooded with Greens supporters and Pharaohs fans, all of them eager to see the outcome of the critical November 14th World Cup qualifier.
By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Cairo – 12/11/09
 [Khaled Desoukia/AFP/Getty Images] Riot police keep the peace at Cairo Stadium on November 9th as crowds await tickets to the upcoming match with Algeria. |
Egypt's capital is bustling with anticipation and football frenzy as hundreds of Algerian football fans, including the legendary Zinedine Zidane, arrive for the November 14th World Cup qualifier match in Cairo Stadium.
News of Zidane's decision to attend the match spread quickly through Egypt, as people shared the information via text messages. Zizou's arrival in Cairo to support the Fennecs means he'll miss his chance to see the French national side's qualifying match against Ireland.
Algeria is nearly a sure bet to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, needing only to avoid losing by more than one goal in order to move on to the tournament in South Africa. Egypt can only qualify if it roundly defeats Algeria by a margin of three goals or more.
Undaunted, one Pharoahs fan, Walid Hussein, told Magharebia that "Egyptians are capable of producing miracles – everything is possible in football matches."
Algeria's supporters may, however, find it hard to score tickets to the much-awaited match. Of the 80,000 seats available to fans at Cairo Stadium, only 2,000 have been reserved for Greens supporters, most of whom have travelled to Egypt from Europe.
"They should have given us at least 8,000 tickets," said Ayman, an Algerian who came to Egypt with a friend just to watch the match. "It's a historic game and we have to be there," he added.
Egyptian sportswriter Hasan Abu Shuka argued that it was only fair to allot Algerians a small number of tickets. "The number of Egyptians wanting to attend this match is about 200,000," he said.
Magharebia has learned from the match's organising committee that Algerian fans will have access to seats in the upper first-class area of the stadium, which will open at 3:00pm on the big day. For purposes of crowd control, the Algerians' tickets will be of a different colour than those issued to Egyptian fans.
Despite the simmering rivalry, the mood in Cairo is one of jovial competition, and the streets are festooned with the national colours of both sides. Egyptian radio can be heard blaring national songs, while the local newspapers are exhorting citizens to support the Pharaohs.
Giant screens, the biggest of them at the Egyptian Armed Forces' Shalam Stadium, will be installed to accommodate all of the football lovers, according to local press reports.
Mindful of creating a peaceful atmosphere around the match, authorities from both Egypt and Algeria are working to encourage co-operation and goodwill. In this vein, the Egyptian Football Federation's slogan for match day is "A Rose for Every Algerian".
Some Egyptians are already a little taken aback by the World Cup whirlwind. Cairo restaurant owner Said Abu Ouaf expressed frustration with what he sees as hyped-up hysteria in the Egyptian newspapers.
"It's as if we're going into a crucial war!" he said.
But he had praise for his Algerian customers. "They were nice to me and my Egyptian customers," he said. "They talked about the match very quietly, and said that the best team would win and that in the end, we are all Arabs."
Email to a friend
Print version
Djebri Posted 2009-11-12
I hope with all my heart that Algeria will win. Our players deserve this victory. Moreover, they are more talented than the Egyptians. Our nation team is top quality.
grooveback Posted 2009-11-12
Hello- First, I will say that if there are 200,000 Egyptians who want to watch the match, then there are 30 million Algerians who want the same. Frankly, is having 2,000 fans for the Greens to the 70,000 for the Reds fair play? We got our answer, in any case, from the people throwing rocks at the Green’s bus. By God, I have no comment.
djamila Posted 2009-11-12
I hope we remain brothers in spite of everything. We are tired of wars.
fayçal Posted 2009-11-12
You have attacked our players from the moment they arrived there in Cairo. You pretend that there is a happy atmosphere. As I see it, this is just a manifestation of Egypt’s fear to face the Algerians fairly. In spite of everything, God willing, Algeria will be going to the 2010 World Cup.
benamar djahida Posted 2009-11-13
I request that all Egyptians remain calm. This is just football, not war. I also request all our players remain calm, so that they win their ticket to the World Cup. You have to win, for yourselves and for the young people. It has been 23 years since anyone showed any morale to the young people, and now it will be the Greens who give hope to the young people. The Greens are going to win 3-1!
Nacéra Posted 2009-11-13
What happened in Egypt is a shame. FIFA should cancel the match in favour of Algeria’s team.
احمد الليبى Posted 2009-11-13
Victory is for the best certainly.
ramy Posted 2009-11-14
Hi. Don't worry brothers, we will win. We trust our players will bring it God willing. Go, go Greens, I die for you.
athmane Posted 2009-11-14
Good. If they want a war, then we will give it to them. We are ready. This is a country of a million and a half martyrs. We are not afraid of these little idiots. Just like Saifi said, “We are brothers!? What brothers?” We will see who is the best, and you will shut them up.
Meriam Berkani Posted 2009-11-14
I am Canadian. It honestly affected me to see that people can behave as such. What king of world are we in!?! Look at how they attacked the Algerian football team, whose sole aim was to come play their match. Is that how they are to be received? They behave like kids. I think this is deplorable for the little Egyptian kids, who aim to later join a team and play football. Look at this! It truly gives a poor image for the young people’s generation to follow. I hope that everything will get back to normal. No one comes out a winner when it comes to violence. So, I say, “Stay strong, Algerian team! Do not give up! You are an excellent team!” I will also say that I share the same point of view as Nacera: FIFA should cancel the match in favour of the Algerian team.
احمد Posted 2009-11-14
We are all Arabs Muslims. We must be united against the enemies of Islam, enemies of Islamic sanctities not against each other.
karima Posted 2009-11-15
Frankly, this is no longer football. This is serious and scandalous. Shame on you, Egypt. If this is your only way to win, then I tell you “Win, and may God make it so that Algeria no longer plays a game against you.” Shame on you, Egyptians, for this fuss around the game and for all the lies that you were peddling. Shame on you, journalists on Egypt’s private channels and the Arab-speaking Algerian press for having added fuel to this fire, you bunch of brainless people. Algeria, whether you win or lose, I love you with a healthy, pure and loyal love. You are the land of my mother, father, two brothers, sister, and girl and guy friends. I love you.
على Posted 2009-11-16
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. I want to know one thing. You haven't dedicated a place for Egypt, or is Egypt not an Arab country? Or do you also hate Egyptians? Why? I want to know why Arab Maghreb countries hate Egypt and Egyptians even if we, by God, have never hated any people except the Jews, the enemies of religion. We love all Arab peoples. This is not a weakness, because some people see it as a weakness.
Ahmed Posted 2009-11-17
Algeria and Egypt are two big nations in the Arab world. Algerians and Egyptians have always been brothers. They must remain so.Just think who's behind this fury and new hatred.Whose interests are these serving?Please for God's sake wake up!
moonwalk Posted 2009-11-19
This is but justice being done. Bravo, Algerians!
ISHAK Posted 2009-11-19
A great match for the Algerian team. What have you won, Egyptians, except evil, evil, evil? 1-0.
farida Posted 2009-11-21
Personally, I say that this is a shame for people who love a good game of football, where the best wins and that is all there is, along with the spirit of sportsmanship. This is sport; we should win fairly. But, I hold a lot against the media, which declared a media war and the people were the ones to pay. It is shameful for two peoples who are supposedly brothers to get to the point where they are burning the other’s national flag. You should be enemies for this to happening. Coming to point of raping women, forcing abortions on others and stoning busses transporting players does not a warrior make – it is shameful. I would like Egypt to have a conscience and recognise that they were the ones who declared this war. The Algerians were the guests. They were transported in a special plane to Blida, Algeria. They were received with a rose for each of them. The Egyptian people are our friends. Personally, I ask these people to be fair and take a look at things the way they really happened. As for the media, you are supposed to calm things down, not offend young people. You are supposed to be wise and educated. What is your interest in having young people on both sides kill each other? Is this what they taught you? Calm yourselves down chahdou la illaha ila allah. -A simple citizen who would love for all people to live in peace
Nora Posted 2009-11-22
Bravo for Egypt’s private channels! They were able to sow hatred between two great Arab and Muslim countries. They only spoke about the reactions of the Algerians, who were angered by what had been said. The latter is a people whose dignity, honour and love for their country were dirtied by the commentators, who showed no professionalism and who whined along with the singers and artists. At no point in time did they speak of the aggression against our players in Cairo. They said that we were directing this soap opera and tat our players injured themselves. The only thing they hoped for was to prevent us from raising the three colours of our flag in South Africa. Shame on you. This is not “fair play”, as they say. We won. Congratulations *Aliina*! Bravo, our dear team! You have made all the Algerians raise their heads. All our ranks are supporting our team. We are not “barbarians”; we are a proud people! Saha lina
djehane Posted 2009-11-22
What is the point in players and in competing if it's not for the sport and sportsmanship? Oh, Egypt, stop lying! We unmasked you. We know your intentions. Alas, you are a sore loser. Accept your defeat. You lost! You did not qualify for the World Cup! You are not going to South Africa! Algeria is the one who is going! Algeria won! Get this into your heads! Long live Algeria! Long live the Greens! Long live the 2010 World Cup! We will be singing our national anthem, “Quassaman!” Our flag will be the one we see. God willing, long live Algeria! Long live the Greens! Long live our beautiful, honourable national team!
We welcome your comments on Magharebia's articles.
It is our hope that you will use this forum to interact with other readers across the Maghreb. In order to keep this experience interesting, we ask you to follow the rules outlined in the comments policy. By submitting comments, you are consenting to these rules. While Magharebia.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. Magharebia.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
Magharebia's Comments Policy