Egypt recalls ambassador, cuts UNAF ties over match fallout

20/11/2009

Egypt on Thursday (November 19th) recalled its ambassador from Algiers, international press reported. Egypt also suspended membership in the North African Football Union (UNAF) to protest the alleged "violence" perpetrated against Egyptians in Sudan after Algeria won the World Cup qualifying tie-breaker on Wednesday. Sudanese authorities have denied any major incidents in Khartoum, claiming that only four fans sustained minor injuries, APS reported.

In related news, FIFA on Thursday authorised a disciplinary committee investigation into the Egyptian Football Federation over the November 14th attack in Cairo on the Algerian team's bus.

Also Thursday, thousands of fans lined the highway from the airport to Algiers to welcome Les Fennecs home from Khartoum. In downtown Algiers, thousands more converged on the May 1st Square to cheer the triumphant team's return. On Thursday night, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika received the players and trainers at the Palace of the People, APS reported.

Speaking on the sidelines of the government reception, Minister of State Abdelaziz Belkhadem noted that Algerian-Egyptian relations "are very important and should not be affected by the reactions of some Egyptians".

Algeria, Tunisia climb in latest FIFA rankings

20/11/2009

Algeria climbed one spot to reach 28th place in the latest FIFA world football rankings. According to the list published Friday (November 20th) on the world football body's website, Algeria rank 4th in Africa, behind Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. Egypt are fifth. Tunisia rose one spot to 53rd, Morocco fell four to 67th, Libya added two places to hit 118, while Mauritania were unchanged at number 169.

Moroccan cyclists maintain Tour de Rwanda lead

20/11/2009

Moroccan cyclist Mohamed Regragui dethroned compatriot Adil Jelloul to take the yellow jersey at the Tour de Rwanda, MAP reported on Thursday (November 19th). After the third stage, Jelloul was only five seconds behind Regragui.

Tunisian Football Federation risks dissolution

20/11/2009

Following the dismissal of Tunisia coach Humberto Coelho over the Carthage Lions' unsatisfactory World Cup qualifying run, fans are calling for further changes within the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF), Goal.com reported on Thursday (November 19th). Federation board members Abdelmajid Hergal and Jelal Tekaya have already decided to withdraw. One more resignation would lead to the Federation's dissolution.

Morocco vies to host 2016 CAN

20/11/2009

Morocco will soon submit its candidacy to host the 2016 African Cup of Nations, Goal.com reported on Friday (November 20th). The decision is reportedly part of a wider plan to update the country's football infrastructure. Kenya, DR Congo, Guinea, and Cameroon are also reportedly interested in hosting the event. Libya has already won the race to host the 2014 edition.