The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said on Tuesday that up to 20,000 fans will be allowed to attend the second leg of the African Champions League final between Zamalek and South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns in Alexandria.
The EFA said they were given the go-ahead by security officials, who have the final say over fan attendance in home football matches, to allow a limited number of supporters to attend the anticipated clash at the 86,000-seat Borg El-Arab Stadium on 23 October.
Zamalek face Sundowns in the first leg in Pretoria on 15 October.
The news will disappoint the Cairo giants, who hoped their fans would fill one of Africa's biggest venues.
"The Egyptian interior ministry will allow 20,000 fans to attend the Champions League final," Egyptian FA president Hani Abou-Reida told a TV programme on Tuesday.
"However, we will ask them to increase this number to give more support to the Egyptian representative."
A crowed ban has been re-imposed in Egypt since February 2015 when 21 of Zamalek fans died in a stampede after being tear-gassed by security forces before the start of a league game against ENPPI at the Air defence stadium in Cairo.
Since then, the ban has been partially lifted in continental matches featuring Egyptian clubs as well as the games of the national team.
Zamalek are eyeing their first African crown since lifting the last of their five Champions League trophies in 2002.
Zamalek are eyeing their first African crown since lifting the last of their five Champions League trophies in 2002.
Zamalek battling to secure 80 000-seater Cairo stadium for final against Sundowns
Zamalek are still seeking permission from the Egyptian government to host their African Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns in Cairo at the city’s main cavernous stadium.
They also want the authorities to allow them a decent-size crowd at the 80 000-seater Cairo International Stadium to intimidate their South African visitors.
But so far they have yet to get a go-ahead and‚ as a result‚ the date and venue for the second leg of the final has not yet been set.
Zamalek have until the end of the week to finalise arrangements‚ in accordance with Confederation of African Football (Caf) rules.
The first game is set for Atteridgeville on Saturday‚ October 15 with an 8pm kick off.
But the return is either on Friday‚ October 21 or Saturday‚ October 22‚ and the venue still in doubt.
Zamalek have been forced to play in a variety of venues over the last years as Egypt’s military regime banned large crowds. This was for fear of stoking up a revival of mass demonstrations that characterised the Arab Spring‚ which toppled Hosni Mubarak five years ago and installed‚ albeit briefly‚ proper democracy in the country.
Supporters of both Zamalek and their great rivals Al Ahly were among the organised groups that led the Tahir Square protests.
But since the crackdown of the Abdel Fattah el-Sisi regime‚ Egyptian football games are largely played behind closed doors although‚ at times‚ the regime relents. Usually this is for important games where national prestige is at stake.
Zamalek are obviously seeking some added support to bolster their hopes.
When they hosted Sundowns in the group phase of this year’s competition at the Petrojet Stadium‚ they were watched by a small‚ restricted crowd. Sundowns‚ without any pressure from the stands‚ won 2-1.
Zamalek have also played in Alexandria‚ which is just more than 200km north of Cairo. - TMG Sport
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