Sudanese fans stone Egypt star Al Hadary

JOHANNESBURG - Agence France-Presse

AFP photo

Egypt goalkeeper Essam Al Hadary suffered a cut lip and broken teeth after being stoned following a CAF Confederation Cup match in Sudan this weekend.
 
Al Hadary had helped Omdurman club Al Merreikh defeat Al Ahly Shandy 2-0 in an all-Sudan Group A match -- a result that triggered stone throwing by supporters of the losers.
 
The star, who is still first choice goalkeeper for record seven-time African champions Egypt at the age of 39, received hospital treatment before joining national squad team-mates in Cairo ahead of a friendly against Benin.
 
"I thank God for saving my life," Al Hadary said on his website. "Incidents like these are too common and fanatical fans must realise football matches are sporting activities and not wars." Merreikh lead the group by two points at the halfway stage after arch domestic rivals Al Hilal were held 1-1 at bottom-of-the-table InterClube of Angola.
 
Captain Kialunda put the Luanda police team ahead during the first half and Zimbabwean Edward Sadomba levelled 19 times from time with his third goal of the season.
 
Former Confederation Cup runners-up Merreikh have seven points, Hilal five, Ahly three and InterClube one with three rounds left and two semi-finals slots up for grabs.
 
Giantkillers AC Leopards from Congo Brazzaville came from behind to draw 1-1 at Stade Malien of Mali in Group B and keep alive hopes of making the last four of the second-tier competition.
 
Ousmane Cisse scored for 2009 Confederation Cup winners Stade after 35 minutes and Treston Lakolo equalised before half-time to leave the home side still seeking their first mini-league victory.