Will the new faces who went to the Africa Cup of Nations go to league games or have they disappeared? Yasmine El-Gamal reports The Africa Cup of Nations held here last month produced not just the host nation as champion but a totally new class of spectator. With their Gucci, Nike and Calvin Klein apparel, the chic crowd of Cairo, otherwise known as the beautiful people, came to watch what was long ago dubbed the Beautiful Game. Not the most savvy of soccer people, in many instances they came less to see a game than to be seen. But because of their constant "ole ole ole" ringing out in cavernous Cairo Stadium, the generous helpings of red, white and black they smeared on their face, and the placards they held aloft, the ones with catchy slogans written in languages other than Arabic -- all of the things they do abroad -- neither they nor their apparently genuine enthusiasm could be ignored. After the ACN, the big question remained: would these posh people come back for more? Or did the three-week fashion show end as abruptly as it began? It had been thought that with Cairo Stadium refurbished, the price of ACN tickets reaching the stratosphere and decent spectator control, people of the calibre seen in the tournament would continue going to domestic league games. Saturday's Ahli-Zamalek derby was the litmus test, the beginning where the ACN left off. Many had indeed been keen on going to Egypt's most famous football match-up but many never showed up. "There's a challenge, the two biggest teams in Egypt will play," said AUCian Noha Wassef, before the game. Wassef did not go to the game. Neither did Perihan Atia, another AUCian who also wanted to attend "but definitely first class." "It's a very nice experience, feels different than watching at home. I want to attend only the Ahli and Zamalek match," said Hend Wahsh, referring to the ACN. In the end, Wahsh, too, bowed out, all of which bodes ill for the rest of the league games. If powerhouses Ahli and Zamalek are not attractive enough, it is doubtful Cement Assuit vs Aluminium will fare any better. Even if they themselves don't go, many girls have hopes that the standard of people will remain the same so that they could continue going to games if they choose to do so. Aya Mohsen, MSA student, was encouraged to attend the ACN as most of the people were the "elites" and is considering going to league matches if the standard of people remains the same. It's what Amira El-Refaie, an Alsson student, also had in mind. "People became well- mannered and you didn't hear any foul language," said El-Refaie. Some people ruled out league games, no matter who is involved. "I am not planning to go to the league matches because I've been hearing that they are an all-men event. It's back to the old rules I guess," said Nada El-Sherbini, a training specialist in telecommunications. Still, El-Sherbini enjoyed the ACN experience. "I had always wanted to go watch a match live in the stadium, but it was an out-of-the-question idea. [But] this is the first time that so many girls can go to the stadium without being harassed or bothered." It's not only girls who won't go to league games. Karim El-Gamal, vice chairman of a real estate company, said that he went to the ACN matches to join the moral support of the national team and unite with his friends in the excitement of attending the matches in the stadium. As for the league, he would watch them on TV only if the team he supports -- Ahli -- is playing. "I don't support football as much as I support Egypt," said El-Gamal. It seems then that the new trend was only to support the national team, not football proper, especially since the ACN was played on home territory. "I went to the matches out of patriotism to support my country, but for me the league matches don't have the same importance," said Yara Mahmoud, another AUC student. Mawheba Safeyeddin, head of the science department in Maadi Narmar school, thought that those who went to the ACN suffered from a lack of belonging. "They are constantly frustrated. They have no pride in who they are. They have no role model to look up to. It was the only time they could relate to their country and to feel proud of who they are." From the same school, the head of the social science department Sahar El-Nadi, said she had no intention of going to league games. "I only went to the ACN to show support and solidarity with our national team." One fan expressed the sentiments of patriotism indoors. "I created my own stadium at home," said Sara El-Khalili, an AUC graduate, who could not go to the stadium and take her three-year-old daughter because of the crowds. "I had the flag, wore the red scarf and was cheering all the time, but I really wanted to go to the final match." El-Khalili believed the Ahli and Zamalek encounter, was different, "no unity" because the fans were divided into two opposing camps. "I always follow the national team games when we play abroad, but this tournament was played on our own turf and it was chance I couldn't miss. The fans were great and so was the atmosphere. We proved to the whole world how passionate we are about the national team," said Sherif Zaki, an account executive in a sports marketing company. League games might not be a hassle like the ACN, which entailed buying a ticket in the black market to waiting in the stadium hours before the match began. Amira Rizk did not go to any of the matches, as she could not endure neither the crowd nor sitting in the stadium for five hours before game time. "I couldn't get a ticket!" said Nada Ashraf, as was the case with school teacher Abeer Eid. Ashraf added she did not have any particular eagerness to attend league games, saying the performance will not be as good as that of the ACN. University medical student Alyaa Al-Amoudi, 22, who went with her mother to the ACN semi-final, would not mind going to league matches with her friends. Al-Amoudi is an ardent football follower, perhaps moreso than Ahmed Magdi, an architect. "It is the idea of the gathering, not football in itself," Magdi said.
