In the wake of violent riots following their previous meeting, Egypt's football team headed to Angola yesterday for a rematch against bitter rival Algeria in the African Cup of Nations semi-finals. Security messages were issued by the embassy warning all to stay away from downtown areas where spectators had gathered to watch the match in an effort to avoid potential violence following the expected 12:00 midnight finish.
As it turns out a trip downtown would have been a waste of cab fare, the Egyptian football fans brought the celebration to us, literally. At 12:50 am we awoke to the sounds of a raging party outside our bedroom window. Horns blared, drums were beating and voices sang. As I drew back the curtain and blinked away the haze of sleep I expected to see a house party at our neighbor's home. Instead I saw the Egyptian version of the Rose Bowl Parade making it's way down our little street. People were piled on top of trucks waving the Egyptian flag and singing at the top of their lungs. Traffic was crawling as processions merged from all directions.
I crawled back in bed and muttered, "Egypt won."
A few moments later police sirens could be heard in the distance. "I wonder if they are breaking up the celebration or participating in it?"
On to the finals!
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