Egypt v Algeria football match in Khartoum, Sudan guarded by 15,000 police

From Radio Dabanga, Wednesday, November 18, 2009:
Egypt-Algeria match in Khartoum secured by fifteen thousand policemen

(Khartoum - agencies -18 November): Fifteen thousand policemen will be deployed in the streets of Khartoum. This said the Walli of Khartoum Dr. Abdel Rahman Algidir. They guard also the two hotels in which teams from Egypt and Algeria are residing. He said his government is ready to face any emergency.The riot police have surrounded the two stadiums where the teams held their last training on Monday.

Algidir said he expect 48 planes carrying Algerian fans and 18 aircrafts with Egyptian fans. More than two thousand Egyptians arrive by bus. Fans of each team will get nine thousand tickets and 17 thousand tickets are allocated to the Sudanese public.

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Egypt angered by football violence

From The Financial Times
Egypt angered by football violence
By Heba Saleh in Cairo
November 18 2009 02:00

Algeria's ambassador to Cairo has been summoned to the foreign ministry after a series of attacks on Egyptian workers and companies by crowds of angry Algerian football fans furious at being beaten 2-0 by Egypt in a World Cup qualifier in Cairo.

The envoy was called in to explain the violence in Algeria, which Egyptian businesses say has intensified ahead of a play-off between the teams today on neutral territory in Khartoum, Sudan's capital. The match will determine which of the sides attends South Africa 2010.

Egypt is the largest investor in Algeria outside the oil and gas sector.

The two countries are traditional football rivals and their games have often been marked by violence. A World Cup qualifier in 1989 is best remembered for rioting and the issuing of an international arrest warrant against one of the Algerian players.

The violence started after reports the Algerian team had been attacked in Cairo before Saturday's match. Images broadcast on the internet showed Algerian players with blood on their faces and the team coach with broken windows.

Naguib Sawiris, the Egyptian executive chairman of Orascom Telecom Holding, said mobs had ransacked the headquarters of Djezzy, Orascom's Algerian subsidiary, and destroyed its factory and 15 of its shops.

He said that with the destruction of crucial equipment there was a danger the company's network, which serves 15m subscribers, could stop functioning, and that the cost of the damage could run into "tens of millions" of dollars.

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Sudan football: Nigeria pull out of CECAFA Under-17 Youth Championship (Bashir Cup)

Nigeria have pulled out of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Under-17 competition, organisers have announced.

CECAFA secretary Nicholas Musonye said the young Eagles informed him of their withdrawal, citing other commitments in Europe.

Nigeria, who were one of the two guest nations in the competition, will now be replaced by Malawi, who had been put on standby.

The other guest side is Egypt.

Full story: Goal.com, Sunday, 16 August 2009 - Nigeria Pull Out Of CECAFA Under-17 Competition
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Further reading:

Sudan Watch: Sudan Football Association boss publicly shreds ...

In their own reaction, the NFF told the Sudan FA boss to take care ... The Nigeria Football Federation has lambasted the Sudan Football ... 

Click on labels here below for related reports and updates.

Sudan's Al Merreikh lost 3-2 to Zesco United in the CAF Champions League

Sudan's Al Merreikh suffered a shock home defeat when they lost 3-2 to Zesco United in Group A of the Champions League on Saturday.



Photo: A goal from Nigerian striker Endurance Idahor was not enough for Al Merreikh

Al Hilal of Sudan are now top of Group A with seven points at the halfway stage.

Zesco United and Kano Pillars are tied at second with four points each while Al Merreikh remain bottom of the table with one point.

Full story: BBC Sport 19:28 GMT, Saturday, 15 August 2009 20:28 UK - Zesco United stun Al Merreikh.

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Sudan's El Merreikh v Zesco United of Zambia today at Khartoum Stadium

Despite a loss away to Al Hilal, the coach says Pillars will still top Group A and qualify for the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

Goal.com report by Samm Audu, Saturday 15 Aug 2009:
Kano Pillars Coach Ivo Sajh Confident Of African Champions League Qualification

Nigeria's Kano Pillars lost their leadership of Group A on Friday night, when they were defeat 2-0 by hosts Al Hilal in Omdurman, but their coach, Ivo Sajh, has expressed confidence that his team will bounce back to finish top of the standings.

"Pillars will top the group," a confident Sajh told Goal.com

"Second place in the group will be between El Merreikh and Al Hilal. But after playing against both teams, El Merreikh are the better team.

"We will have our chance to avenge our defeat by Hilal in two weeks. I did not expect to lose to Al Hilal. But it's very difficult to win or a draw away from home."

Al Hilal took the lead in the 53rd minute, when Zimbabwean referee Merange Kenias awarded the home team a disputed penalty kick.

"I'm not a referee," insisted Sajh, when asked about the officiating.

"Everybody saw what happened and it was not good for football. We are a team of 11 players but we played against 14 players. These were the same referees who ensured that Al Hilal qualified for the group stage at the expense of Primeiro Agosto of Angola. All the best to referees in the future."

However, the Slovenian coach admitted his team only have themselves to blame for the second Al Hilal goal.

"The second goal was our own mistake. We did not cover the near post by the time the corner was taken. The scorer got a free header," said Sajh.

Pillars are now second in the table with four points from three matches, three adrift of new leaders Al Hilal.

The Nigerian club could slip further down the table if Sudan's El Merreikh win their home game against Zesco United of Zambia on Saturday at the Khartoum Stadium.

Click on label here below for previous reports and updates.

CAF Champions League: Sudan's Al Hilal beat Kano Pillars of Nigeria 2-0

Sudan's Al Hilal were truly at home at a packed Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman Friday night as they put to sword Kano Pillars of Nigeria 2-0 in continuation of the CAF Champions League. 

Hilal have thus shot to the top of Group A with seven points from three matches, while Pillars slipped to second place with four points.

Read full story by Samm Audu at Goal.com, Friday, 14 August 2009:   CAF Champions League: Al Hilal Shoot To The Top Of Group A
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Sudan midfielder Mohamed Al-Tahir broke the deadlock on 55 minutes by slotting home vfrom the spot before Hamoda Ahmed El-Basheer put the icing on the cake on 68 minutes.

Read full story at CAF online, Friday, 14 August 2009:   Al-Hilal hand Pillars first defeat

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YouTube: 2009 Highlights Day 1 & Day 2 - View highlights from the first group matches: AlHilal, ESS, Zesco United, TP Mazembe, Kano Pillars, Monomotapa Utd, El Merreikh, Heartland FC

CAF Champions League 2009: Sudan's Al-Hilal and Nigeria's Kano Pillars go head to head today in Omdurman, Khartoum

Update: Click on 'CAF Champions League' label in footnote here below for latest news and results.

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Continental focus this weekend focuses on Sudan’s largest city, Omdurman which will be the centre of attraction as the group phase of the CAF Champions League enters the halfway mark with the day three matches.

Omdurman is also home to Sudan’s biggest clubs, Al-Merrikh and Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal will host Kano Pillars of Nigeria in clash that will prove crucial to determining the winner of Group A at the Al-Hilal Stadium in Omdurman, whilst Al-Merrikh will be seeking to redeem their dwindling fortunes against Zesco United at the Al-Merrikh Stadium also in Omdurman.

This is the first time in the history of Sudanese football that the two biggest clubs are housed in the same group in their quest for the cherished prize in the continental club football.

Read full story at KICKOFF - SUDAN GIANTS TOP CHAMPS LEAGUE BILL - Friday, 14 August 2009.

CAF Champions League Preview: Pillars Want To Stand Tall In ...

Goal.com - ‎Aug 13, 2009‎

A result for Nigeria's Kano Pillars in Friday's CAF Champions League tie against Al Hilal could set them on the road to a place in the last four. ...

Pillars' Chigozie suspended for Al Hilal Champions League clash Triumph

Hilal and Kano go head to head BBC News

Injured Kano Pillars Skipper Bala Mohammed Resumes Training Goal.com

Goal.com - Goal.com

all 19 news articles »

Click on labels here below for related reports, fixtures and results.

Friday's all-important CAF Champions League clash against Sudan's Al Hilal

Update:  Click on label 'CAF Champions League' (in footnote here below) for latest news and results.

Photo: The coveted Champions League trophy (Source: football365.co.za)

Nigerian Premier League club Kano Pillars have revealed that they will play their upcoming CAF Champions League matches at night to accommodate Ramadan. Slovenian coach Ivo Sajh is confident his injured skipper Bala Mohammed will be ready for Friday's all-important CAF Champions League clash against Sudan's Al Hilal.

The Sudanese champions El Merreikh are bullish of their chances against their Zambian counterparts in this weekend's CAF Champions League clash.



Photo: El Merreikh F.C., Sudan (Source: Goal.com)

Ramadan runs from August 21 until September 21 and during that time both Zesco United and Al Hilal travel to Kano for Champions League fixtures.

See further details in latest news reports listed here below.

Photo:  Nigerian fan (Source: Goal.com)

Kano Pillars Sweat On Fitness Of Skipper Bala Mohammed

Goal.com - ‎57 minutes ago‎

Slovenian coach Ivo Sajh is confident his injured skipper will be ready for Friday's all-important CAF Champions League clash against Sudan's Al Hilal. ...

El Merreikh Confident Of Victory Versus Zambia's Zesco United

Goal.com - ‎1 hour ago‎

The Sudanese champions are bullish of their chances against their Zambian counterparts in this weekend's CAF Champions League clash. ...

CAF Champions League: Kano Pillars To Play Home Games At Night ...

Goal.com - ‎22 hours ago‎

The Nigerian club have a plan for their two home games in the CAF Champions League group stage, which will fall during the Muslim Ramadan fasting period. ...

CAF Champions League: Confident Kano Pillars Arrive In Sudan

Goal.com - ‎Aug 11, 2009‎

Nigeria's flag bearers fly into Khartoum ahead of the Champions League tie against closest rivals Al Hilal... A 35-man delegation of Nigeria's Kano Pillars ...

Night games on cards for Kano

Football365.co.za - ‎2 hours ago‎

Nigerian Premier League club Kano Pillars have revealed that they will play their upcoming CAF Champions League matches at night in order to accommodate ...

Zesco United Dealt Striking Blow

Lusaka Times - ‎19 hours ago‎

Zesco United have been dealt a big blow with the news that they will be without a key player for their Caf African Champions League Group A game against El ...

Kano Pillars cautions Zesco over El Merreikh match

postzambia.com - ‎Aug 10, 2009‎

NIGERIAN side Kano Pillars of Nigeria has cautioned Zesco United to be for Saturday's Africa Champions League Group A clash Sudanese side El Merreikh. ...

Pillars' Chigozie suspended for Al Hilal Champions League clash

Triumph - ‎Aug 10, 2009‎

Nigeria's Kano Pillars will be without their libero, Maurice Chigozie, for their all-important CAF Champions League Group A clash against Al Hilal of Sudan ...

All 8 related articles »

Sudan Football Association boss publicly shreds letter from Nigeria Football Federation

Kamal Shaddad has poured more salt into injury in the row between the Sudan FA and their Nigerian counterparts...

From Goal.com by Samm Audu, Thursday 06 August 2009:
Sudan FA Boss Publicly Shreds Letter From Nigerian Counterparts

The raging war between Sudan Football Association (SFA) and their Nigerian counterparts is not about to ease after SFA president, Kamal Shaddad, further showed his total disrespect for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) by publicly shredding a letter sent to his association in respect of disputed loan transfers by Sudanese club Al Hilal.

According to Wednesday's Sudanese sports newspaper, Al Sadda, Shaddad made a public display of putting into the shredder a letter signed by NFF secretary-general, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, in which the NFF dismissed as forgeries two request letters for the International Transfer Certificates of Ajibade Omolade and a Brazilian, Quarresma.

The newspaper quoted Shaddad as saying that he does not receive official correspondences by courier, but rather via email.

However, the newspaper questioned Shaddad's position, revealing that several emails from the NFF to the Sudan FA on this transfer disappeared from the system.

Shaddad had earlier dismissed the NFF as "not a credible organisation".

In their own reaction, the NFF told the Sudan FA boss to take care of his "dubious agents in Sudan". A formal protest letter to Shaddad was also fired to Sudan.

Local rivals El Merriekh have already protested against Al Hilal for parading DR Congo's Tshubi Kabundi and Edward Sadomba from Zimbabwe in their CAF Champions League Group A clash last month.

El Merriekh argue that these two players were registered for the competition after Al Hilal illegally got rid of Omolade and Quarresma.

Officials of Kano Pillars are set to protest against Al Hilal, should they use Sadomba in their Champions League match-up on August 14 in Khartoum. The Zimbabwean featured for Al Hilal in Wednesday's league match.

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Africa: Sudan FA is Fraudulent - NFF

AllAfrica.com - ‎Aug 4, 2009‎

The Nigeria Football Federation has lambasted the Sudan Football Association for its claims over a transfer scam involving Sudanese top club, Al Hilal FC. ...

Sudanese FA accuses NFF of dishonesty over Omolade's transfer

The Guardian - Nigeria - ‎Jul 31, 2009‎

... President of the Sudan Football Association (SFA), Kamal Shaddad, has lashed out at the NFF, accusing it of dishonesty. The Sudanese FA is blaming the ...

Sudan FA Blast Nigerian Counterparts As 'Not Credible'

Goal.com - ‎Jul 30, 2009‎

The president of the Sudan Football Association (SFA), Kamal Shaddad, has lashed out at the NigeriaFootball Federation (NFF) over the on-going transfer ...

Sudanese FA accuses NFF of dishonesty over Omolade's transfer The Guardian - Nigeria

all 6 news articles »

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NFF Bristles over Sudan FA Falsehood

THISDAY - ‎Aug 2, 2009‎

The Nigeria Football Federation has lambasted the Sudan Football Association for its claims over a transfer scam involving Sudanese top club, Al Hilal FC. ...

CAF Champions League: Sudan's Al Hilal beat Zesco - Pillars beat El Merreikh 3-1

Sudanese giants Al-Hilal earned their first win of the group phase of the CAF Champions League with a lone goal victory of Zambian debutants Zesco United in Omdurman on Friday.

Kano Pillars of Nigeria, yesterday romped onto the top of Group A with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Sudan's El Merreikh at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.



Photo source: Confederation of African Football (CAF), Saturday, 01 August 2009 - Al Hilal beat Zesco United for first win

See BBC Sport, Saturday, 1 August 2009 Hilal, Pillars win in Group A.

Champs League win for Al Hilal

BBC Sport - ‎Aug 1, 2009‎

Sudan's Al Hilal moved to the top of Group A of the African Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Zesco United of Zambia in Khartoum. ...

Al-Hilal beat Zesco in CAF Champions League Soccerway

Al Hilal beat Zesco United To Top Group (A) SOL

Zesco engage Al Hilal postzambia.com

The Guardian - Nigeria - Lusaka Times

all 12 news articles »

Click on CECAFA label here below for related reports on football in Sudan and latest updates.