Soccer adds to Egypt-Sudan-Ethiopia tensions
Soccer politics is at play as Sudan's Al-Merrikh Club insists to play its match against Egypt's Al-Ahly in CAF's Champions League in Ethiopia, giving rise to fears in Egypt from possible fan violence.
CAIRO — Soccer fans in Egypt are angry at Al-Merrikh, one of Sudan's top soccer teams, for requesting to play its match against Egypt's Al-Ahly team in a continental competition not in Sudan, but in Ethiopia.
A draw for the round of 16 of the Champions League of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) placed the two teams in one group, together with Al-Hilal, another Sudanese team, and South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns.
Al-Ahly is due to face Al-Merrikh on Feb. 11 in Sudan and Al-Hilal on Feb. 18 in Sudan as well, according to the timetable of the matches drawn up by CAF.
However, CAF inspectors had in September of last year disqualified the Blue Jewel stadium in Sudanese capital, Khartoum, which usually hosts the matches of both Sudanese teams, considering them unfit for international matches.
