I have been warned against the use of sweeping statements, but screw it – I’m going to go ahead with a big, fat one anyway. When it comes to attending a football match at Cairo’s International Stadium, it should be on EVERYONE’S bucket list, pure and simple. Trust me, it doesn’t matter at all if you like the game. In this case, enjoying football is a minor, minor detail. The truth is you’re likely to spend the majority of your time watching the spectators, not the ball.<\/p>\n
Egypt’s fanatic football followers know how to multi-task. During a game, the stands at this impressive sports complex have it all; flags, banners, music, counter-point harmony, home-made wind instruments, fireworks, explosions and even more explosions. The Mexican Wave? Puh-leeeeeeeease. That’s for kids. At Cairo’s International Stadium, the Mexican Wave has been given an elaborate face-lift.<\/p>\n
We got there \u201clate.\u201d Arriving only fifteen minutes before the game which meant we were forced to take seats opposite the die-hards. But even amidst our moderate \u201cfamily\u201d stand, almost every individual donned the Al-Ahly<\/a> colours, slapped on some face-paint or came wielding a flag. The chap sitting next to me compensated for his lack of merchandise, by throwing his son in the air at the slightest hint of a goal.<\/p>\n To give you a little taste of the unforgettable excitement that is an Egyptian football match, here’s a short video I took on my trusty Nokia mobile (now in its 6th year and still kicking). Please note: the bright yellow flames that look like balls of fire coming from the stand are actually balls of fire.<\/p>\n