Algeria orders military planes to fly fans to Egypt
Saturday July 13 2019
Algeria fans cheer for their team prior to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at the 30 June Stadium in the Egyptian capital Cairo on July 7, 2019. PHOTO | MOHAMED EL-SHAHED |
Algeria's hopes of reaching the Africa Cup of Nations final will be boosted by the arrival of another 2,000 fans in time for Sunday's semi-final against Nigeria in Cairo.
Six military planes, along with 10 from Air Algeria, will put on special flights to help encourage the Desert Foxes as they attempt to win the tournament for the first time in 29 years.
According to a statement received by AFP, the Algerian Ministry of Defence said that the army high command had taken the decision in conjunction with the Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui to add the six military planes so that "600 Algerians supporters can cheer on and encourage the national team and motivate them to win this important continental trophy."
A spokesman for Air Algeria told AFP that the company would transport 1,400 supporters on 10 planes.
The supporters are scheduled to leave Cairo again after the match although if Algeria win they may stay on for Friday's final against either Senegal or Tunisia.