Ghana, Egypt discuss safety and security ahead of clash

Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi held a joint meeting with top Ghanaian and Egyptian diplomats on Friday to discuss pertinent issues ahead of the World Cup play-offs between the two countries from next month.

Egypt’s ambassador to Ghana H.E. Omar Selim and Ghana ambassador to Egypt H.E. Said Sinare visited the GFA headquarters in Accra on Friday to discuss the two matches and explore matters of safety and security ahead of the matches to be played in Kumasi and Cairo.

The Black Stars will host the Pharaohs on 15 October in the first leg of the play-off which will decide which country will qualify for the 2014 World Cup with Cairo being the venue for the second-leg scheduled for 19 November.

Ghana and Egypt have a long-standing excellent relationship and the move by the GFA President to meet the top diplomats is meant to ensure that the cordiality between the two countries is maintained before and after the match.

Nyantakyi told his H.E. Omar Selim that the GFA and the Ghana government have secured places for the at least 500 Egypt fans expected at the Baba Yara Stadium and they will be confined to one place to ensure that they are fully protected during their visit to Kumasi.

The GFA chief revealed to the Egypt ambassador that even though the Pharaohs will not be allowed to land directly in Kumasi by their chartered flight because the airport is not an international airport especially when it is undergoing renovation, the GFA will ensure their smooth travel to Kumasi by a domestic flight from Accra.

The three men also discussed issues of accommodation and tickets for visiting fans while the Egyptian diplomat also assured Ghanaians of their safety in Cairo despite the security problems in the Egyptian capital.

H.E. Said Sinare revealed that his office has already started preparation for the smooth arrival of the Ghana delegation expected in Cairo for the return leg while working with the Egyptian authorities to secure the safety of the players and visiting fans.