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Ahly, Zamalek make plea to play African ties in Cairo Cairo giants do not want to play key games in Gouna Stadium, even if playing in Cairo means behind closed doors
Egypt giants Ahly and Zamalek have made formal pleas to play their return legs of the African Champions League Round 16 in Cairo instead of the Red Sea resort of Gouna as stipulated by the country's security authorities. "We received a request from Ahly asking us not to move the game to Gouna, especially after their defeat against Ahly Benghazi in the first leg," Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Executive Director Sarwat Swelam told Ahram Sport Sunday. "We have contacted Minister of Youth and Sports Khaled Abdel-Aziz and are also in touch with security officials to get the clearance," he added. Ahly and Zamalek have been banned from playing in Cairo following clashes between the former club's supporters and police during the African Super Cup tie against Sfaxien last month. Fans were allowed by exception to attend the African games as local authorities have imposed a crowd ban in domestic competitions until security is improved. However, the disappointing results of the Cairo giants in the first legs as Ahly lost to Ahly Benghazi 1-0 while Zamalek were held to a scoreless draw by Nkana from Zambia pushed the teams to make fresh pleas in a bid to rescue their campaigns. "It will be very difficult for us and for Ahly to play in Gouna due to the hot climate and the bad condition of the pitch. We need good ground to recover from the first leg and move forward in the competition. It will be better to play in Cairo, even without supporters, than in Gouna. I ask the officials to reconsider their decision," Zamalek's coach Ahmed Hossam "Mido" told a sports programme Saturday. Zamalek will host Nkana on Sunday, 30 March, while Ahly will play Ahly Benghazi a day earlier. (For moresports news and updates,followAhramOnline Sportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/97335.aspx
