JOHANNESBURG — Leading Egyptian football club Zamalek will host a CAF Champions League qualifier in an empty Cairo stadium this weekend after recent incidents triggered the renewal of a ban on spectators. Authorities allowed crowds limited to 3,000 for earlier fixtures this year involving Zamalek and fellow Cairo club Al-Ahly in the premier Confederation of AFrican Football club competition. But despite spectators being outnumbered by security forces at the 90,000-seat Borg El Arab stadium on the outskirts of Mediterranean city Alexandria, there was trouble at the matches. Zamalek supporters ripped up seats after a 7-0 thrashing of Chadian visitor Gazelle — a strange way to celebrate a one-sided result that ensured the White Knights of overall victory. Ahly fans threw projectiles on the pitch during a game against Kenyan visitors Tusker with one landing close to the visiting goalkeeper just before the home team scored the second goal in a 2-0 win that secured qualification. While Zamalek hosts Saint George from Ethiopia in Cairo this weekend, Ahly visits Tunisia to face CA Bizertin. — AP
