Rival spectators attending the Egypt-Ghana World Cup playoff in Kumasi briefly exchanged provocations on their way into Baba Yara stadium, as a number of Ghanaian fans held a huge banner reading "Egypt against the coup," in reference to the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Around four Egyptians are reportedly present among the Ghanaian fans, wearing caps of the popular four finger Rabaa sign, in solidarity with hundreds who died during the forced dispersal of two pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo in August.

According to Ahram Online's reporter in Kumasi, Ghanaian police interfered to ease tensions by taking away the controversial banner.

The Egyptian team is bracing itself for a tough clash away to Ghana in the first-leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff on Tuesday, aiming to get to Brazil for football's most prestigious tournament for the first time since 1990.