Egyptian soldiers and policemen stand guard as women line up outside a polling station Egypt's participation in the African Cup of Nations qualifying tournament has been thrown into doubt by the Cairo security directorate's refusal to secure the team's match against the Central African Republic on 17 June. The match clashes with the second day of voting in Egypt's presidential election runoff.
“We've sent an urgent letter to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) asking it to secure this important match,” Egyptian Football Association (EFA) spokesman Azmy Megahed told Ahram Online.
The Alexandria security directorate earlier refused to secure the match at the Borg El-Arab Stadium.
The EFA has also asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to delay the match for three days but is yet to receive an answer.
“The association has contacted the CAF again to inform it about the situation but we are still hoping the SCAF agrees to provide security at the game,” Megahed added.
The clash with the Central African Republic had originally been scheduled for 29 February, but the CAF postponed it at the behest of the EFA following February's Port Said stadium disaster. The return leg is slated for 29 June.
The holders of seven CAN trophies are also scheduled to play Guinea on 10 June before they take on Zimbabwe in Group G of the African section of the World Cup qualifiers.

ahramonline .