Rematch against Algeria will be war, says Zidan

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-27 09:33

BENGUELA, Angola: Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan says his team's Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against Algeria on Thursday will be a 'war', which Egypt have to win to prove they deserved to feature at the World Cup.

Rematch against Algeria will be war, says Zidan

Egypt's captain, Ahmed Hassan (left), celebrates with teammate Mahmoud Fathala after scoring his second goal during the quarterfinals of their African Cup of Nations match against Cameroon at the Ombaka National Stadium in Benguela, Angola, on Monday. Egypt won 3-1. [Agencies]

Egypt failed to qualify for this year's World Cup in South Africa after bitter regional rivals Algeria pipped them 1-0 in a playoff in Sudan after both teams were tied on the same points and goal difference in the qualifiers.

In November, both the World Cup qualifier in Cairo and the subsequent playoff in Sudan witnessed several violent scenes that world football ruling body FIFA is now investigating.

"It will be a matter of life and death in that game. For both sides it will be like a war," said the Borussia Dortmund star after the Pharaohs defeated Cameroon 3-1 in a Nations Cup quarterfinal on Monday.

"For us it is a chance to show the world that we deserve to go to the World Cup and if we beat them, we will be able to watch the World Cup with pride.

"We are the ones who do not have any pressure. We are the champions and we are better than them. Everybody will see which is the better team."

Egypt are on course for a record seventh Nations Cup title in Angola after they won the continental trophy in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006 and 2008.

Nigeria saw off Zambia 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in the day's other quarterfinal in Lubango and will take on Ghana for a place in Sunday's final in a clash of two World Cup-bound teams.

In Benguela, Egypt skipper Hassan earned an African record 170th cap but there was little to celebrate for the midfielder when he deflected an Achille Emana corner into his own net in the 25th minute.

Hassan redeemed himself eight minutes before the break with a 35-meter powerful free kick that bounced before Idriss Carlos Kameni found the back of the net.

After the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, Mohamed Nagui intercepted a terrible back pass from Geremi to his keeper and coolly slotted home in the first minute of extra time.

Three minutes later, Hassan ensured Egypt would extend their record unbeaten run in the Nations Cup to 17 games when his freekick, partially blocked by Kameni, bounced back off the woodwork but was adjudged to have crossed the line.

Television replays indicated otherwise.

Cameroon finished the game with 10 men after centerback Aurelien Chedjou was sent off for a professional foul with nine minutes left.

Chedjou had been preferred in the starting line-up to Rigobert Song, whose run of 36 successive Nations Cup finals matches stretching back to 1996 was ended.

Thursday's Algeria against Egypt tie in Benguela is certain to raise security concerns after violence marred the two World Cup qualifiers between the two teams last November.

The Algeria team bus was stoned by angry fans in Cairo and post-game clashes injured 32 after Egypt forced a playoff with a 2-0 win. The playoff in Khartoum was also disrupted.

AFP/Reuters