Against fears influenced by the unrest in Cairo by Ghana, Egypt has obtained permission from FIFA to host Ghana in the second leg of the 2014 World Playoff in Cairo, according to GHANAsoccernet.com.
According to the Ghanaian sports organisation, the world football governing body has written to the Ghana FA to confirm the Air Defence Stadium as the venue of the November, 19 world cup qualification match. Egyptian authoritieswere able to convince FIFA that the security arrangements made for the game would prove adequate to enable a hitch-free match.
Fans will also be allowed in to see the game that is regarded as a foregone conclusion due to the massive 6-1 result recorded by the Black Stars in the first leg of the playoff in Kumasi.
The Ghana FA had requested a change of venue – citing security concerns in the ongoing political unrest following the overthrow of Mohammed Morsi in July.
The Egyptian authorities conviction that the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo is fit to host the game will also occasion the first time the Pharaohs will be playing in the capital throughout their qualifying series for the current world cup qualifiers.
The Pharaohs of Egypt have played all their in El Gouna but wanted to play before their vociferous home crowd in the capital – banking on their intimidating atmosphere to help their course towards their first World Cup qualification since 1990.
The 6-1 mauling suffered at the hands of the Black Stars in the first leg has however gone a long way to dilute the real essence of playing the game in Cairo.
Ghana remain in full control of the tie and are overwhelming favourites to pick one of the five African slots for next year’s World Cup being hosted by Brazil despite the administrative setback.
