Al Ahly allowed full crowd for Sundowns second leg

Egyptian giants Al Ahly will be allowed full attendance at Cairo Stadium when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the second leg of their African Champions League clash in Cairo on Friday, club officials said.

Egyptian authorities usually allow a maximum of 30 000 fans to attend continental club games at home, as was the case when Stellenbosch upset Zamalek in the African Confederation Cup quarterfinal earlier this month, but Al Ahly made a successful appeal to allow for full attendance, citing the importance of the clash and the impact of the crowd on such a fixture.

With their request approved, the Egyptian giants will be able to fill Cairo International Stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 75 000 fans.

Since the turmoil of the Arab Spring more than a decade ago, which saw public discontent leading to mass public demonstrations and the swift toppling of the long-standing regime in Egypt, crowds at football matches have been restricted.

Security officials fear gatherings like that on football terraces could lead to demonstrations and more civil unrest.

Friday’s second leg follows a goalless draw in last Saturday’s first leg at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Sundowns have enjoyed success against Al Ahly in continental competition in recent years, winning four and drawing three of the last seven clashes between the two titans of African football.

Al Ahly, who have won four of the last five editions of the competition, are chasing their third success Champions League title, which would take the club’s all-time tally to 13 titles. This is eight more than the next best clubs – TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and fellow Egyptian side Zamalek.