FIFA has instructed the Algerian Football Federation to step up security to ensure that the World Cup qualifier with Zambia on Sunday is not interrupted, the Zambia Daily Mail reported Saturday.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) said it had received reports that two of Zambia's players - Emmanuel Mayuka and William Njobvu - who play in Israel are being targeted by Algerian soccer fans because of the historical rivalry between the Arab world and the Jewish state, Daily Mail said.
FAZ Communications Officer Erick Mwanza said in an interview with the paper that FIFA had instructed security officer Ridha Kraiem of Tunisia to ensure that the Zambian team are provided with adequate security before, during and after the match.
Algeria leads African Qualifying Group C with seven points, while Egypt and Zambia each has four points.
(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2009)
