For the fourth time in four months, the Pharaohs encounter Algeria in sports. They host the Algerians Friday night in the African Handball semis in Cairo. Egyptians and Algerians are widely expected to put on a make-or-break thriller. The Algerians want to avenge, as the Pharaohs eliminated them from the African Cup of Nations, the continent's most prestigious soccer tournament, in the semis last month in Angola. Egypt met Algeria last November twice in the World Cup qualifiers, in Cairo on November 14 and in Sudan four days after the clash in the Egyptian capital. The Algerians rioted in Sudan, attacking the Egyptian fans. Algerians even tried to kill Egyptians working in their country, according to local media reports. Friday night's game will be difficult for both teams, not only because of the game itself, but because of the recent tensions between the two countries at the level of international sports. Algeria qualified for the semis after a 21-21 draw with Tunisia Wednesday night in Cairo. It was a tough match. Tunisia were 11-7 ahead at half-time, but Algeria then fought back. Tunisia will face Democratic Republic of Congo tonight in the same semis. Egypt's men are close to winning their sixth African Handball title, having qualified for the semis after crushing Morocco 44-21 in the second round of the tournament Tuesday night in Cairo. Egypt's men have won the handball title five times in 1991, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008. Egypt's coach Gamal Shams is pinning his hopes on Ahmed el-Ahmer, Hussein Zaki and Hamada el-Naquib, who are the key players in the team, helping the Pharaohs qualify for the semis Tuesday night.
