Caf Must Tackle North African Hooliganism Head-on

CAF must tackle North African hooliganism head-on as a matter of urgency, particularly with matches scheduled in the region on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This is an ideal time to implement preventative measures, as the shadow of hooliganism especially prevalent in North Africa continues to loom large over the sport. North African football has gained notoriety for recurring incidents of fan violence that tarnish the games reputation.

On Tuesday, Esprance will host Mamelodi Sundowns in the second leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final at the Stade Olympique de Rads in Tunisia. On Wednesday, Zamalek will welcome Stellenbosch for the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final in Cairo.

The host clubs must ensure that security and safety protocols are in place and strictly maintained. However, CAF must also guarantee that these measures are adequate and, if necessary, provide guidance or oversight.

In light of last week's violent incidents, CAF has faced criticism for not intervening decisively, and there may be strong grounds for banning offending clubs from future participation.