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Abidjan match goes ahead despite Ivory Coast rebellion
© Reuters 2002
JOHANNESBURG, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Saturday's African Champions League match between ASEC Abidjan of the Ivory Coast and Egypt's Zamalek will go ahead despite the two week rebellion in the west African country, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Wednesday.
The group B match is a vital tie for both sides, seeking to finish in the top two places in the standings to qualify for the semi-finals of the competition next month.
The match had been threatened by the crisis in the Ivory Coast, in which hundreds have died and thousands been displaced by fighting between army factions.
Rebel soldiers have held major towns in the country but the CAF said it was confident the fighting held no danger in Abidjan, the captial. Zamalek are scheduled to depart for Abidjan in a private jet and return directly after Saturday's match, Egyptian newspapers reported. A draw would be enough to ensure the Cairo club progress to the last four but ASEC must win to have any realistic chance of staying in contention.
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