Egypt braces for football frenzy

Cairo:  As Egypt plays Algeria for the second time on Wednesday, the country's official radio and TV stations have been playing patriotic songs, traditionally broadcast on major national occasions.

"The Egyptians desperately need to feel happy after being struck by a series of catastrophes over recent years," Ihab Al Khouli, leader of the opposition Al Ghad Party told Gulf News.

"If Egypt managed to qualify for the World Cup, this would be a dream coming true for the Egyptians. But this rivalry should not spoil ties between Egypt and Algeria."

The spiralling tensions have been blamed on "irresponsible" media in both countries.

"I can see logic in the [Egyptian] people's eagerness to feel happy. But I have noticed that the mania on the streets has also struck the official television," wrote Fahmi Heweidi in the Egyptian independent newspaper Al Shorouk. "I dare say that television is responsible for igniting this mania."

Egyptian and Algerian officials have intensified efforts to defuse mounting tensions between the two Arab countries ahead of a crucial World Cup play-off in Sudan today.

Egyptian businesses in Algeria were attacked by angry fans after local newspapers reported that 11 Algerians had been killed in Egypt following a football match between both countries on Saturday night.

Attacks

The attacks prompted scores of Egyptians working in Algeria to fly home as hundreds of their compatriots, reportedly trapped in their homes, have asked for help from the Egyptian government to repatriate them.

"I decided to fly to Egypt along with my family after hundreds of Algerians — with swords, stones and fireballs — marched on the apartment block where I lived following the Saturday match in Cairo," Ayman Al Saeed, an employee at a factory for carpets in Algiers, said upon arrival at Cairo airport on Monday.

"The angry fans shouted anti-Egyptian slogans and demanded revenge for the alleged killing of their compatriots in Cairo. After the Algerian police dispersed them, we packed up and departed to Cairo for fear of our lives."

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Abdul Qader Al Haj, the Algerian Ambassador in Cairo, and expressed concerns over the attacks against Egyptians and their businesses in Algeria.

Offices of Egypt Air, the national carrier, the Algerian branch of the Egyptian telecommunications provider Orascom, and the Arab Contractors, one of Egypt's leading construction companies, were damaged in attacks blamed on Algerian fans.

About 10,000 Egyptians are working in Algeria where Egyptian investments are estimated at $6 billion (Dh22 billion).

Deciding game

Egypt beat Algeria 2-0 in Cairo on Saturday forcing a decider today to determine who will appear in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The victory generated wild celebrations in Egypt and angry disappointment in Algeria.

A similar match between the two North African countries in 1989 triggered acts of violence.

Egypt's official carrier and private airlines has started ferrying fans to Sudan. The 25 flights are mostly financed by the ruling National Democratic Party, governmental agencies and local businessmen.

Who do you think has a better chance of qualifying for the 2010 Fifa World Cup? Will the history of violence add more tension to the game?