|
Cairo unrest a concern for Yanga |
Send to a friend |
|
Thursday, 02 February 2012 22:35 |
|
By Majuto Omary The Citizen Reporter Dar es Salaam. Mainland champions Young Africans are concerned about security situation in Cairo ahead of their African Champions League match against Zamalek.Yanga secretary general Mwesigwa Celestine said yesterday that they intend to meet the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) this weekend to discuss the Egypt unrest and the way forward.His statement comes only hours after crowd violence in the North African country left over 70 people dead and up to one thousand injured.
Outnumbered riot police and members of the military appeared to do little as thousands of Al Masry fans poured out of the stands after their side won the match 3-1.They then chased Al Ahly's players and fans into a corner of the stadium before throwing rocks and bottles at them. Others were beaten with sticks and stabbed. A narrow stadium exit turned into a death trap.
The result was the world’s worst soccer violence in 15 years, with 74 people crushed, suffocated or stabbed to death. “Safety and security is a serious issue. We intend to seek audience with the TFF to discuss the matter,” said Celestine.
Yanga will face Zamalek in the first leg of the Africa Champions League on February 18 at the National Stadium. The return leg will take place in Cairo two weeks later.When contacted for comment on the matter, TFF secretary general, Angetile Osiah said he was optimistic the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will evaluate the security arrangements before the match.
“CAF can shift the match to another country if need be, they have the mandate to do so,” said Angetile. He declined to give more details on the match, but he insisted that they are ready to advise Yanga leadership on how best to go about it.
Many Egyptians, from the public to lawmakers, yesterday blamed the police and the country’s ruling military for failing to prevent the rioting the night before in the Mediterranean coastal city of Port said.
Meanwhile, the leadership of Egypt's Football Association has been sacked, the country's prime minister said yesterday.Kamal al-Ganzuri told an extraordinary session of parliament in Cairo that the football association's director and management board had been sacked for their responsibility in the previous night's disaster.
Ganzuri also said that the governor of Port Said, where the stadium tragedy took place, had resigned his post and that his resignation "had been accepted." “We read and watch through video clips in websites, we have witnessed soccer fans chasing players after their team lost 3-1, what will happen if we won against Zamalek in the encounter,” said Celestine.
|