Egypt's national football team is confirmed to face Tunisia in a friendly at Cairo International Stadium on 8 January as part of the teams' preparations for the 2017 African Cup of Nations, Egypt Football Association (EFA) executive manager Tharwat Swelam has announced.
"Security officials have given the green light to host Tunisia's friendly at Cairo International Stadium with an attendance of 5,000 fans," Swelam was quoted as saying on Al-Ahram Sports on Friday.
Built in 1955, Cairo Stadium — one of Egypt's oldest and largest stadiums — hasn't hosted any games since the 2012 Port Said disaster, which took the lives of 72 football fans.
The stadium has been under renovation since then, with security measures being implemented to meet the demands of the prosecutor and interior ministry regarding safety in the stands.
The stadium has been ready for more than a year now, but security officials have not allowed any games until now, fearing civil unrest in the capital. The stadium is located in Nasr City, a suburb north east of Cairo.
Those matches normally hosted by the venue — whether for the national team or Cairo-based giants Ahly and Zamalek — have been played on the outskirts of Cairo or other governorates.
"The Tunisia national team will arrive in Cairo on 5 January, then they will leave Egypt after the game," said Swelam.
The Pharaohs are due to take on Ghana, Mali and Uganda in Group D of the 2017 African Cup of Nations, which will be played in Gabon from 14 January to 5 February.
Egypt's North African Arab neighbors Tunisia have been drawn in Group B of the cup alongside Algeria, Zimbabwe and Senegal.
