FIFA has promised the Ghana Soccer Federation that it will take on the necessary security measure to ensure the protection of its players ahead of the Nov. 19 clash between Ghana and Egypt in the World Cup Playoffs.
"FIFA already confirmed receipt of the Egyptian governmental security guarantees and that the match will take place in Cairo, as scheduled," FIFA said in a statement, according to ESPN. "The security guarantees and security plan by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior will take into account the provisions laid down in the FIFA stadium safety and security regulations."
According to reports, players and officials will get individual police escorts throughout Cairo at training facilities, hotels and the stadium where the match will be held.
"Police escorts will permanently cover each and every transfer of these delegations, as well as an ambulance, while the hotels will be totally secured by the deployment of sufficient security guards," added the statement.
There has been a tremendous amount of controversy regarding the location of the second playoff match. Ghana has repeatedly stated that it wants the venue changed to a neutral site as it fears for the safety of its players in the volatile Egyptian capital.
Ghana destroyed Egypt 6-1 in the opening leg and the likelihood of the Pharaohs mounting a successful comeback and winning the playoff is improbable, even impossible. The team would need to match the 6-1 scoreline or pull off a 6-0 win in order to move on to the World Cup finals next summer. Ghana has been the most potent offense at the World Cup qualifiers and is unlikely to lose without scoring one or two goals in the process.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
