SPORTS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 In Egypt, even football struggles to unite CAIRO: In football-crazy Egypt, Ahmed Khawaga is deadly crackdown on Islamists that followed the mil- celebrate every Pharaohs victory. But Egypt, who Egypt’s newspapers have been shrinking each day one of the national team’s most devoted fans. But itary’s ouster of president Mohamed Morsi on July 3. have clinched seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, to make space for political news as events continue today even he feels the beautiful game is struggling The current “war on terrorism” launched by the failed to qualify for the two latest finals tourna- to shake the country. to unite a deeply divided country. army-installed authorities has dominated the head- ments. All the festivities now seem far away. Sometimes, politics and football become inter- Late yesterday, Egypt meets Guinea in the final lines, amid security related problems in Cairo. “How can I focus on football when my friends are twined. In February, in several Suez canal cities, round of qualifiers for the World Cup to be held in Khawaga-as he is known by supporters of being killed on the streets,” says Amr Lotfi, a sales thousands took to the streets defying night-time Brazil next year, and the Pharaohs have a chance of Zamalek of which he is an active member-believes assistant in the capital. Zaki Abdel Fattah, the curfews imposed by Morsi after death sentences making it to the tournament for the first time since that “today, it’s impossible to regroup Egyptians Pharaohs goalkeeping coach and deputy to were handed down to locals for their involvement in 1990. A week ago, Egypt secured a place in the FIBA behind their national team”. In a turbulent two-and- American manager Bob Bradley, says the political a deadly football stadium riot in 2012 in which 74 Basketball World Cup for the first time in two a-half years, Egyptians have endured a revolution conditions are “obvious”. But he remains hopeful. “To people were killed. decades. But despite the exciting prospects for the that ousted longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak, 16 qualify for the World Cup would be a moment of joy Since 2011, hardcore football fans known as the country’s national sports teams, few Egyptians are months of rocky rule by a military junta, and the that would reunite all Egyptians,” he says. “ultras” had used their training and organisation to paying attention. These days the traditionally foot- overthrow of an elected Islamist leader. So far, events on the ground have frequently dis- lead protests against the military council that ruled ball-mad nation is more focused on politics after Each phase was marred by clashes and deadly rupted the Egyptian league schedule, and interna- Egypt after Mubarak and before Morsi was elected two and a half years of turmoil that has left the crackdowns that have left thousands of people tional matches in Egypt are played with no specta- with large turnouts and shock slogans. country bitterly divided and dispirited. dead. “Sport doesn’t interest anyone anymore; peo- tors, draining the game of its spirit and causing Recently, popular Egyptian striker Mohammed Egypt’s national team has long cemented a sense ple only care about politics now,” says Khawaga. enthusiasm to wane. Under Bradley’s watch, the Aboutrika was slammed by many for going against of national unity, bringing together even the fiercest The manager of one Cairo cafe can hardly believe Pharaohs will be playing out of the spotlight again the popular current and taking a stand against the of rivals-fans of Cairo’s top football clubs Al-Ahly and the new reality. His clients, all sports fans, are now yesterday. For security reasons, the match against military’s crackdown on Islamists. Zamalek. glued to the news and political talk shows. Guinea will be played without any spectators at El- But if he were to qualify with the national team But today, it would take much more than a foot- “In the past, you couldn’t put anything on the tel- Gouna, a resort on the Red Sea almost 500 kilome- for the World Cup, the winds may once again blow ball tournament to band Egyptians together after a evision that wasn’t football,” he says. Crowds used to tres (300 miles) south of Cairo. Sports pages in in his favor. — AFP Lights out for Uzbeks as Jordan wins shoot-out TASHKENT: Jordan endured a floodlights failure and won a marathon penalty shoot-out 9-8 against Uzbekistan to reach an intercontinental play-off for next year’s World Cup in dramatic fashion yesterday. The nerveless visitors came back after conceding an early goal, leaving the scores at 1-1 at full-time, and then held firm despite an 18-minute delay when the lights went at Pakhtakor Stadium. And in a gripping shoot-out they were able to celebrate a scarcely believable triumph when Anzur Ismailov failed to convert the decisive spot-kick. Jordan, who were held 1-1 at home in last week’s first leg, now go into a two-legged tie against the South America’s fifth placed quali- fiers-currently Uruguay-for their first ever World Cup spot. But the result meant further heart- break for Uzbekistan, who also went out after a chaotic game in Tashkent when they last reached this stage eight years ago. The evening had started promisingly for the hosts when they took full advantage of a free- kick for an infringement on the edge of the box on just five minutes. Two-time Asian player of the year Server Djeparov’s curling delivery was parried into the path of Ismailov, who buried the rebound on the TASHKENT: Uzbekistan’s Odi Ahmedov (top) and Jordan’s Ahmed Saleh fight for the ball dur- far post. ing their World Cup Asia qualifying playoff soccer match. — AP The White Wolves were in the ascendancy for most of the first half but Jordan fired a warn- Uzbekistan nearly struck again when one of his The incident sucked any remaining urgency ing when Ahmed Saleh grazed the netting with free-kicks found the head of debutant Igor from the game and, with little attacking threat a snap shot on 40 minutes. Sergeev. Jordan appeared content to play for from either side, there was no surprise when it And just two minutes later, Saeed Murjan lev- extra-time and there was no surprise when the went to a penalties. elled the tie when he ran onto to a loose clear- game went to an additional 30 minutes, with Uzbekistan missed their first two spot-kicks EGYPT: Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutrika (left) vies with Guinea’s Habib Balde during ance and rammed a scorching half-volley past penalties looming. A Djeparov free-kick felled before hauling themselves back into the shoot- their FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifying football match at Al-Gouna stadium. —AFP Murotjon Zukhurov in the Uzbek goal. Jordan’s Adnan Suleiman when it caught him in out. But as the teams traded successful kicks With the stakes sky-high, the game the face and Uzbekistan’s Ivan Nagaev was Ismailov, scorer of Uzbekistan’s goal in normal remained surprisingly open and both sides booked for diving when he tumbled in the box. play, turned fall guy as his failed attempt put Egypt see off Guinea threw on attacking players in the early stages of But there were farcical scenes when, 10 Jordan through. Uzbekistan also suffered a bitter the second half. minutes into the first extra period, the flood- defeat in the Asian play-offs in 2005, when they JOHANNESBURG: Egypt midfielder Sherif Ekrami led to the early bonus for Uzbek substitute Sanjar Tursunov needed lights failed at the venerable venue, prompting had a successful penalty against Bahrain chalked Mohamed Abou Trika celebrated his 100th Guinea as they sought to avenge a 3-2 home only to choose his spot when he was picked out loud jeers and a delay of 18 minutes. off for encroachment. cap by scoring one goal and creating three in loss last year. by Jasur Khasanov near the hour-mark, but he Both teams were forced to leave the field for Their eventual 1-0 win in Tashkent was then a 4-2 World Cup qualifying win over 10-man The home side gradually took control and blazed over wastefully from inside the box. an interruption that was so long that players and surprisingly annulled over the refereeing error, Guinea yesterday. almost levelled midway through the half Djeparov, his crewcut embellished with light- officials were seen doing warm-up stretches and Bahrain drew the replay 1-1 edging the tie The result of the Group H dead rubber when goalkeeper Naby Yattara clawed away a ning-shaped tramlines, remained a handful and before the game restarted. on away goals. — AFP maintained the 100 percent record of the ‘Shikabala’ free-kick. ‘Pharaohs’ as they chase a first World Cup Ibrahima Bangoura had a half-chance at appearance since the 1990 finals in Italy. the other end five minutes later, but his tame Bunk beds and dreams of glory: Abou Trika is the ninth Egyptian footballer effort trickled into the hands of Ekrami. Egypt to reach the 100-cap milestone and retired equalised seven minutes before the break compatriot Ahmed Hassan holds the world when Hossam Ghaly volleyed into the net record with 184 national team appearances. after an Abou Trika free-kick was not cleared. Life in the Afghan Premier League Egypt finished with 18 points, Guinea 10, Early second-half drama saw Guinea cap- Mozambique three and Zimbabwe two in a tain Kamil Zayatte red carded for handling a KABUL: Being signed by a premiership club was a mini-league dominated from start to finish by goal-bound shot and Abou Trika converted dream come true for 19-year-old striker Emal the seven-time African champions.