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Egypt relieved at decision to lift crowd ban in Ghana World Cup qualifier Egypt's assistant coach says the decision to allow fans to attend the anticipated clash against Ghana will boost his side's chances of reaching the 2014 World Cup
Egypt are counting the advantages of a decision to lift a crowd ban when they host Ghana next month as they aim to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990. The Pharaohs' technical staff breathed a sigh of relief after the Egyptian Sports minister announced that the home World Cup decider would take place at the army-owned Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on 19 November. The first leg of the playoff will be played in Kumasi on 15 October. "We are very happy with this decision. We were also hoping the game would be played at Cairo Stadium but we are fully aware of the country's situation," Egypt assistant coach Diaa El-Sayed said, referring to the country's tense political phase following the army's overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi on 3 July. "Firstly, we are used to playing on that pitch. We now don't need to go anywhere outside Cairo; any such trips would have left the players exhausted ahead of the match. "The fans' presence will also motivate the players and help them realize the dream of reaching the World Cup," El-Sayed added. Roared on by a passionate sell-out crowd at the 74,000-seat Cairo Stadium, Egypt famously scored the two goals they needed to down Algeria 2-0 and force a playoff in Sudan in 2009, although they eventually failed to make it to the South Africa finals one year later. Most of the home games for Egypt and Cairo duo Ahly and Zamalek have been taking place behind closed doors since Morsi's ouster due to lingering security concerns. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/82502.aspx
