Ivory Coast side Africa Sports (Photo: CAFonline.com)
Africa Sports are not concerned about ongoing political instability in Egypt as they prepare to face Zamalek in Cairo, the Ivorian outfit’s vice president, Sehi Gaspard, said Saturday.
They take on Zamalek at the Military Academy Stadium on Sunday in the first leg of the African Champions League Round 32.
The match will be played behind closed doors as Zamalek serve the second of a two-match crowd ban imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following fan riots that ruined their game against Tunisia’s Club Africain last year.
Egypt’s military rulers have struggled to restore order since the 2011 January revolution overthrew autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak.
“Yes, we knew that the situation in Egypt is currently not stable, but we weren’t concerned at all,” Gaspard said in an interview with Cafonline.com.
“Egypt is a big and great country, and we know everything is going to be alright at the game.”
The Egyptian Premier League was called off earlier this month in the wake of the Port Said disaster that left at least 74 fans dead in football violence. The tragedy occurred when thousands of Masry supporters invaded the pitch to confront Ahly’s visiting contingent, sparking deadly clashes.
“I had no concerns at all regarding that. We came to Egypt for football and not for politics,” Gaspard added.
“We found a very warm welcome (in Cairo) and everyone has been so friendly with us. This is not strange because we’ve always loved Egypt and its people, and every time we’re here we find this warm hospitality.
“Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt are like brothers and we came here for our friendship.”
Gaspard also heaped praise on Zamalek, who won the last of their five Champions League titles in 2002.
“Zamalek is a great team with some very big and well known names like Ahmed Hossam Mido and Amr Zaki. It’s going to be a difficult game, but we have the right to fight and win,” he added.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online sports on Twitter: @AO Sports)
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