26 July - 1 August 2001
Issue No.544
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 26 July - 1 August 2001 Issue No.544 |
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Egypt's ticket torn in two
It was hoped to be a road to international glory, but after Senegal snatched its first ticket to the world cup, both Egypt and Morocco were left wailing. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab reports
It was a memorable moment for one African nation last week, when for the first time in its history, Senegal became the fourth African nation to qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals -- beating Namibia 5-0 to join South Africa, Tunisia and Cameroon in next year's tournament.
Egypt's Alaa Nabil is being attacked in Algeria
Pape Thiaw (2), Al-Hadji Diouf, Khalilou Fadiga and Moussa Ndiaye scored for the Senegalese, who dominated most of a match staged in cold, overcast conditions and led 3-0 at halftime. The four African nations join hosts South Korea, Japan and defending champion France in the finals. One more African group winner will advance.
The final two qualifiers in African group C saw both Egypt and Senegal attempt to win convincingly away from home and steal away the top spot in the group from Morocco -- who have been to the last two World Cup finals. Senegal, however, made it easily while Egypt -- which also had a chance to qualify from Group C last Saturday -- drew 1-1 with Algeria in Annaba, Algeria.
The Senegal outcome was not quite expected, though, as Ahmed Hossam was an Egypt hopeful -- he raised hopes when he put the Pharaohs ahead after 59 minutes in the Mediterranean city of Annaba, but Yacine Bezzaz levelled near the end. The outcome, however, wasn't quite so fruitful. They missed the chance not only in their match against Algeria, but in the earlier rounds too, when they failed to clinch a victory in their six chances.
The results, however, may not have surprised some, given that in its nine previous visits to Algeria, the Egyptians have always left empty handed. They did get five goals past Algeria in Cairo earlier this year, adding to the historic animosity between the two Arabic-speaking nations. In 1990, too, Egypt won a controversial World Cup qualifier against Algeria to secure its place in the finals in Italy -- a match that saw fighting between the two teams and criminal charges brought against Algerian star Lakhdar Belloumi for an alleged attack on an Egyptian after the game.
Egypt attempted to snub its African rival by withdrawing from the 1990 African Nations Cup finals -- hosted by Algeria five months after the World Cup qualifier in Cairo -- but after much persuasion sent a B team to play in the tournament. The Egyptians, who were drawn in the same opening round group as Algeria and lost to their hosts, were attacked by home fans in retaliation.
Soccer relations between the two countries have remained antagonistic ever since, adding further spice to last week's encounter. The Algerians kicked off the game with an attacking spree. At the players that is; the fans threw water bottles on the Egyptian players, and even caused the halt of the match for ten minutes after the penalty shot by Mido.
Egypt was not the only nation in the region which left sorrowful; Morocco too finished their campaign with 15 points, missing out on the opportunity to seal qualification two weeks ago by failing to get the point they needed away in Senegal.
Senegal and Morocco each amassed 15 points from eight matches, but Senegal advances with a plus-12 goal difference. Morocco was second at plus-5 and Egypt finished third with 13 points. Algeria finished with seven points in the group while Namibia finished with two.
In Group B, Liberia leads with 15 points from all eight matches while Nigeria is second with 13 points from seven matches. Nigeria hosts Ghana on July 28, and only a win will see the Super Eagles advance. A loss or a tie will send Liberia to the World Cup finals. Sudan hosts Sierra Leone on July 29, but neither team has a chance of qualifying.
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