Sudan readies for trouble ahead of World Cup decider

By Opheera McDoom and Andrew Heavens

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Western embassies and the United Nations in Sudan warned staff and citizens to steer clear of a World Cup playoff between Algeria and Egypt, fearing violence in the fight for Africa's last berth in the finals.

Government schools were closed and all civil servants told to leave work early in the capital Khartoum as thousands of Egyptian and Algerian fans flew in to see Wednesday's match. At least 15,000 police will deploy to secure the stadium after violence marred the two teams' previous encounter in Cairo.

"There is a likelihood of localised violence relating to the match given the significant numbers of supporters for both teams who are likely to turn out," the British embassy said in a message to citizens.

The winner of Wednesday's play off will secure a place in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Hundreds of fans gathered in Khartoum's Al Merreikh stadium from early morning, even arriving before the police, witnesses said.

Algerian fans scaled the stadium's columns and were hanging flags. The match is due to start after 8 p.m. (1700 GMT). Reuters witnesses saw Algerian fans making threatening gestures at Egyptian supporters.

On Saturday's match in Cairo, attacks on Algerian supporters injured 20 people and three Algerian players suffered facial cuts after Egyptian fans hurled stones at their bus on arrival.

Hospital sources said fans had been treated for minor injuries in Khartoum as scuffles broke out ahead of the match.

Egyptian businesses in Khartoum braced themselves for trouble with riot police stationed outside on Wednesday.