The Algerian mission, who are participating in the 19th African Cup of Nations Handball Championship, which kicked off Thursday night in the two Egyptian cities of Cairo and Suez, were received warmly by Egyptians - popularly and officially. There was tight security for the Algerians inside and outside Cairo Stadium, as the two countries try to put behind their backs recent tensions. Egypt and Algeria had their worst crisis in ties in the wake of a World Cup play-off last November in Sudan, where Algerian fans attacked Egyptians. President of the Egyptian Handball Federation (EHF) and the head of the Organising Committee of the event Hadi Fahmi said that Algerian team (men and women) were the last to arrive in Cairo. "We wanted to give our Algerian brothers a warm reception," Fahmi said. "Officials at the EHF offered the Algerian team all the facilities they need.” Algeria's coach Saleh Bou Shakrio, meanwhile, confirmed that the event was very important, as Algerians are eyeing the World Handball Cup in Sweden next year. "We prepared well for the Cairo championship, with some overseas camps," Bou Shakrio explained. The event runs until February 21. The Egypt-Gabon match started as The Gazette went to press. Egypt have won the handball title five times in 1991, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008. The event comprises three groups for men and two for women. The first group features the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Tunisia and Libya. The second group includes the hosts Egypt, Gabon, Angola and Cameroon; and the third one includes Morocco, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire and Algeria. The women's competition has been divided into two groups: with Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Tunisia and Cameroon in the first; and Egypt, Angola, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo making up the second. Today's games feature Nigeria vs Libya, Algeria vs Congo, Tunisia vs Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon vs Angola, Cameroon vs Egypt. Meanwhile, Cote d'Ivoire beat Algeria in the women's event 22-19 yesterday .
