The traffic jam caused Egypt’s news conference to be canceled ahead of Sunday’s match against Morocco in the African Cup of Nations quarterfinal, the country’s football association (EFA), said Saturday.
The Pharaohs’ midfielder Amr El–Sulaya and Carlos Queiroz, their coach, failed to arrive at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde Cameroonian capital. Organisers had to cancel the prematch news conference.
According to an EFA statement, Queiroz’s absence and El-Sulaya’s inability to show up were attributed to traffic congestion and the view of security personnel accompanying the convoy. “The players’ bus must be delivered to the residence first,” the EFA stated.
“There wasn’t enough security for the vehicle that was supposed take Queiroz & El-Sulaya from the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.”
EFA also criticized organizers for moving the match across Yaounde to the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. The decision was made to move the kick-off hour forward by one hour to 4pm local.
Eight people were killed in a crowd outside the Olembe Stadium last Monday’s round-of-16 match between Comoros and hosts Cameroon.
