CAIRO: Algerian Football Association president Mohamed Rorawa tried to reduce the tension ahead of his country s World Cup qualifier with Egypt by underlining the “good relationship between both sides.
After the Pharaohs beat Zambia 1-0 in the qualifying stage on Saturday, Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan released some inflammatory statements about the eagerly-anticipated clash against Algeria.
The Ahly ace said that Cairo Stadium would turn into the “stadium of horror when the Egyptians host the Desert Foxes in their last qualifying game on Nov. 14.
The Algerians earlier assured that they have already secured a World Cup berth, saying their trip to Egypt will be rather entertaining.
From his side, Rorawa tried to stop the heated verbal joust.
The most important thing is that an Arab team will take part in the World Cup, he told Algerian newspaper Al-Shorouk.
We are pretty sure that the Egyptians are keen to maintain their good relationship with us.
Group C leaders Algeria have 13 points, three ahead of second-placed Egypt with one match remaining.
They also boast a four-goal advantage over Hassan Shehata s men.
A 3-0 victory for Egypt will see them progress to the World Cup due to a better goal difference.
If Egypt beat Algeria by a two-goal margin, either a draw or a play-off game will determine the group winners because both teams will become equal in goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head record.
Algeria need to win, draw or lose by a one-goal margin to ensure they will become one of Africa s representatives at the most important FIFA tournament.
