Soccer war; Ghanaians under siege in Cairo

Disappointed Egyptian football fans are said to be visiting their anger on Ghanaians resident in Cairo by assaulting them following the 6-1 thrashing of the Pharaohs by the senior national football team, the Black Stars.


Some Ghanaians resident in Cairo who spoke to The finder on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal attacks say they have been attacked by Egyptian football fans without any provocation.

Their crime is that Ghana walloped Egypt 6-1.

The resounding victory puts the Black Stars in a good stead to complete a hat-trick of appearances at the Mundial after 2006 (in Germany) and 2010 (in South Africa).

But for many Egyptians, the result serves the biggest pill ever forced down their throats in as many decades.

As a result, many Ghanaians resident in Cairo, are living in fear ahead of the second leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup playoff in Cairo.

They explained that the fans harmlessly ask of the nationality of dark- skinned people in Cairo and the very moment you identify yourself as a Ghanaian, they assault you.

“Sunday, October 20, 2013, I was walking on the street and some guys asked me where I come from. Because I was aware, I told them I am from Cameroun and they said you are lucky,” one Ghanaian resident in Cairo told The Finder.

Referring to the second leg encounter, the person added: “If they play the match here (Cairo) they will beat us after the march.”

When contacted, Ghana Football Association (GFA) spokesperson, Ibrahim Sanni Daara said they were unaware of the development.

According to him, GFA met with Egyptian Embassy officials here in Accra yesterday to discuss preparations for the return encounter and promised to follow up and investigate, as well as communicate this information to Egyptian Embassy officials.

Following recent political unrest in the North African country, GFA requested FIFA to move the return leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff to a safe and secure venue.

In response, FIFA has given Egypt until October 28 to provide security guarantees in order to host Ghana in Cairo for the second leg of the World Cup qualifying plav-off on November 19.

In a letter sent to the football associations of Ghana and Egypt, world governing body FIFA has given Egypt 17 days to provide comprehensive security assurances ahead of the second leg of the 2014 World Cup qualifying play-off.


The Finder