ABIDJAN — Fifa has classified the Ivory Coast — Senegal match in the first leg of the World Cup qualifying knockout as risky, an official has said in Abidjan.
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Both teams clashed last year in the build up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, with the return leg played in Dakar degenerating into total chaos.
According to the Ivory Coast Football Federation, 1 700 security operatives, including police and gendarmes, have been recruited for Saturday’s encounter, with 18 checkpoints and several observation posts installed in and outside the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, where the game will be held.
Sale of tickets began on Monday, with the 28 484 tickets expected to be sold out before Friday. Tickets will not be sold on match day to avoid rush.
A special escort will be put in place for Senegal supporters, according to the FA, to dissuade local fans from retaliating the brutality some Ivorians suffered at the hands of Senegalese fans last year in Dakar.
Meanwhile, Lille Metropole of France shot stopper Vincent Enyeama, and SC Heerenveen of Holland forward Uche Nwafor were the first set of foreign-based players to report to the Eagles Camp in Abuja as preparations for the all important Fifa 2014 World Cup qualifier with Ethiopia commenced earnestly.
Enyeama, who kept a clean sheet for his club last weekend, breezed in early on Monday and was later joined by Uche Nwafor.
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The former Enugu Rangers striker, who didn’t play for his club over the weekend made the trip to Nigeria on Sunday night and reported to camp today, to join the other home-based players who were already in camp as of Monday morning.
The home-based team company of Chigozie Agbim, Sunday Mba, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Benjamin Francis, Solomon Kwambe were on hand to welcome their foreign-based counterparts.
