<<Print>>

Egypt has chosen Ghana as one of its possible venues for the World Cup qualifying play-off clash with Algeria to determine which of the two countries goes to the tournament in South Africa. The Pharaohs also chose Nigeria and Sudan after FIFA asked the Egypt and Algeria FAs to name three countries where the possible play off could take place. The Egyptians are assured of massive support in Ghana because of the close ties between the two countries, and that could help the Pharaohs qualify. Egypt threw its weight behind the Black Satellites in the final of the U-20 World Cup two weeks ago, which helped Ghana to win the tournament. Ghana fans are expected to come out in their numbers to support Egypt as a reciprocal gesture. Also, Ghanaians backed the Pharaohs in Accra to beat Cameroun in the finals of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Algeria are topping Group C in the qualifying stage on 13 points, three ahead of second-placed Egypt with one match remaining on November 14 at Cairo Stadium. A victory by a three-goal margin for the Pharaohs will see the reach to the World Cup due to a better goal difference. However, if Egypt beat Algeria by a two-goal margin, a play-off game will be played to determine the group winners, as both teams will become equal in goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head record. Algeria need to win, draw or lose by a one-goal margin to ensure they will become one of Africa�s representatives at the most import FIFA tournament. Egyptian FA spokesman Medhat Shalabi stated during his programme on Modern TV that all three countries were suggested upon the request of Egypt�s technical staff. Algeria are also set to submit a list of three venues for the match. Shalabi assured that if there were no common countries in both lists, a draw would decide the venue. Algeria are yet to officially announce their list, but recent reports claimed the Desert Foxes wanted the game to take place either in Morocco or Tunisia.