Ghana President Mahama Gets Security Briefing On Cairo Ahead Of Egypt Clash

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By Ameenu Shardow, follow on Twitter @alooameenu
President John Mahama was given first hand briefing on the security situation in Cairo ahead of Ghana's second-leg World Cup playoff against Egypt.

Ghana FA Vice President Fred Crentsil alongside Deputy Sports Minister Joseph Yamin briefed the President in a meeting at the Flagstaff House in Accra on Thursday.

Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi had earlier in the day led a FIFA delegation to the Egyptian capital to assess the security arrangements being put in place by the Egyptian authorities for the game on Tuesday.

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Ghanaians including its leader – John Mahama – are concerned about the threat to life and property being posed by playing the game in the volatile North African state.

But the Egyptian authorities have been able to convince FIFA into allowing them to go ahead with the game in Cairo after presenting a comprehensive blueprint of their security plans for the match.

President Mahama who has been key for the Black Stars by playing vital behind the scenes role however deemed it necessary to seek first hand information about the current security situation in Cairo geared toward allaying his fears.

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The Black Stars are now on the verge of sealing qualification to their third successive World Cup finals after posting a comprehensive 6-1 win over the Pharaohs in the first encounter of the tie played last month in Kumasi.

Coach Akwasi Appiah's charges are now to travel to Cairo to complete another memorable qualification series.

The team is currently in Istanbul, Turkey finalizing their preparations towards the November 19 clash to be played at the Air Defence Stadium in the Egyptian capital.