here they come, a-chanting…

As the biggest carload yet of angry Egyptian fans pass my home waving flags and taunting everyone at and inside the Algerian gates (never seen anything like it), I read the following:

“WORLD CUP DECIDER
Tensions run high before Egypt v Algeria qualifier

FIFA has asked Egypt for written guarantees confirming additional security measures to protect the Algerian squad ahead of a tense World Cup qualifier on Saturday…

Feelings were running high in the Egyptian capital on Friday and supporters roamed the streets waving flags from their cars.

One supporters’ slogan read: ‘Victory or martyrdom: Egypt will slaughter Algeria.'”

Victory or martyrdom? I think I’m glad I don’t have tickets for the match.

But seriously, I do feel like there’s a 50-50 chance of something pretty ugly happening tonight. The mood in the city has never been quite this testy during my time here.