Egypt quits N. Africa league after Algeria defeat

November 20, 2009

Egypt suspended its membership of the Union of North African Football Federations on Thursday, complaining that Algerian fans had thrown stones at their supporters during the country’s World Cup exit.

The Egyptian Football Federation wrote to its counterparts in Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia charging that its fans had come under sustained assault during the make-or-break qualification play-off in Khartoum on Wednesday, the state MENA news agency reported.

Egypt had already called in the Algerian ambassador and recalled its own envoy from Algiers for consultations in protest.

The game’s Sudanese hosts strongly contested Egypt’s version of events insisting just four Egyptian fans had sustained minor injuries and calling in the Egyptian ambassador in Khartoum in its own protest.

By contrast, world football’s governing body FIFA said that three Algerian players and the goalkeeping coach suffered injuries that “weren’t superficial” ahead of Egypt’s 2-0 victory in Cairo on Saturday that forced the play-off.

A number of Algerian fans were also injured after the game, triggering attacks against Egyptians and Egyptian interests in Algeria.

CAIRO (AFP)

Tags: african football, algiers, body fifa, Cairo, consultations, counterparts, egyptian ambassador, egyptian football federation, egyptian interests, egyptians, goalkeeping coach, governing body, khartoum, Libya, minor injuries, news agency, sudanese, world cup exit, world football

Al-Hilal beat Zesco in CAF Champions League

August 1, 2009

Sudanese club Al-Hilal Omdurman moved into first place of their CAF Champions League group thanks to a 1-0 win over Zesco United of Zambia.

Al-Hilal had drawn their opening game 0-0 with local rivals Al-Merreikh, but one goal at Khartoum Stadium was enough to earn their first victory and move top in Group A.

The goal that led the hosts to victory was scored by defender Usama Altawon, whose powerful shot from a corner left the opposing goalkeeper beaten.

Kano Pillars of Nigeria and Al-Merreikh face on Sunday, with possibly the top spot at stake.

Jonathan Roorda