Soldiers will replace fans at Egypt's scheduled clash with Mozambique in World Cup qualifiers on 1 June, Egypt Football Association (EFA) spokesman Azmy Megahed announced on Sunday.

"We informed FIFA that the match would be played with fans, and security authorities agreed that army soldiers could sit in as ordinary supporters," Megahed was quoted as saying by Ahram Sport.

Egypt's interior ministry had previously ordered that the game be played behind closed doors – for security reasons – at Alexandria's Borg Al-Arab Stadium, but later reversed its decision.

The Pharaohs are currently holding a training camp in Alexandria amid preparations for the upcoming match.

The seven-time African Cup of Nations (CAN) champions, under the guidance of American coach Bob Bradley, have been paired with Guinea, Zimbabwe and Mozambique in Group G.

They are also scheduled to play the Central African Republic in CAN 2013 qualifiers in the same month.

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