Ajax in town

THREE-time European champions Ajax Amsterdam take on top Egyptian squad Ahli in another exhibition showdown.

The match, to be played tomorrow at Cairo Stadium, will be Ahli's 11th versus European sides and the third in the new millennium. Against Real Madrid in 2001 Ahli won 1-0 and defeated Italy's AS Roma 2-1 last year.

The guests come with their full roster, including the main attraction, Egypt's 20-year-old Ahmed Hossam, better known as Mido, who joined the Dutch team a year ago. Mido is his team's top scorer as well as one of Europe's hottest young properties.

There was no time for Ajax officials to go sightseeing. The team will instead train tonight at Cairo Stadium, to be followed by a press conference. The visitors will return home immediately following the game because of engagements in the Dutch league.

Tickets for the game went on sale on Monday. The VIP box is going for LE1,000, LE200 for front row seats, LE50 for first class seats and LE10 for the bleachers.

Ahli are to donate the proceeds to the Red Crescent Society.

Al-Ahram Weekly Online : 23 - 29 January 2003 (Issue No. 622)
Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/622/sp5.htm