Zamalek-Union to be held behind closed door-Interior Ministry

Two encounters of Cairo giants Al Ahly and Zamalek with Angola’s Recreativo Do Libolo and Cameroon’s Union Douala respectively will be held Saturday without fans, the Interior Ministry’s media office said in a statement on Friday.

“The decision comes as part of the interior ministry’s responsibilities for securing all games in the Egyptian league and other champions,” according to the statement.

Al Ahly’s will face Recreativo Do Libolo in the return-leg of the 2016 CAF Champions League round of 32 at Alexandria’s Borg Al Arab Stadium while Zamalek will face Union Douala in the same round at Cairo’s Petro Sport Stadium.

The ministry stressed the importance of abiding by outlined instructions.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and the Interior Ministry decided to hold football games behind closed doors shortly after the last year’s Air Defense stadium disaster in which over 20 fans were killed in a stampede after being teargassed by police while entering the stadium.

However, the EFA said in a statement in Dec. 2015 it is developing a new system for the return of spectators during Premier League matches.

Zamalek will be looking for a win or a draw to advance to the CAF Champions League round of 16 after defeating Union Douala 1-0 in the first leg while Al Ahly’s encounter comes after drawing 0-0 in the first leg of the 2016 CAF Champions League took place March 12