In preparation for the potential volatile CAF Champions League encounter between Egyptian side Al-Ismaily and Algerian outfit JS Kabylie, Governor Abdul Jalil of the Ismailia Governorate urged local fans to welcome their Arab brothers without any incidents.
There has been bad-blood between the two countries in what has turned out to be a bitter rivalry. During the World Cup 2010 qualification match in Cairo, Egyptian fans pelted the Algerian team bus with stones resulting in injuries to a few of the players.
During the final play-off match played at a neutral site in Sudan, Algerian fans retaliated by beating and harassing Egyptian nationals. Algeria managed to qualify for World Cup 2010 and were eliminated in the group stages. Egypt hasn’t qualified since World Cup 1990 in Italy.
JS Kabylie will also have to face another Egyptian team in Group B, one of the tournament’s favourites, Al-Ahly. The illustrious Egyptian club has won the tournament six times. The two teams will convene for an encounter in late August.
