It seemed even the victorious team were not excused the kettling treatment, with the orange-shirted, hand-holding stream of security guards physically restraining the players from getting too close to their own fans. This sparked anger from players and fans alike, with a farcical on-field, post-match battle breaking out, fans launching water bottles towards the Egyptian security.

As we debated our chances of making it inside, small groups of fans began to find gaps in the security line, jogging and sprinting in pockets towards the next set of gates. We spontaneously joined them, nipping through the barriers in the hope of finding our seats belatedly. The security and police forces didn’t take too kindly to the movement, lashing out randomly and continuing to restrict groups of fans.

After experiencing a few issues at the security gates during the semi final (apparently 3 English lads, with Arabic and Persian roots, wearing Finnish, South African and Colombian football shirts, accompanied by an Egyptian, was something of a headache for the Cairo Stadium rules and reg’s), we decided to get there nice and early for the final. 

The semi final between Nigeria and Algeria was a fiercely contested match with no shortage of drama - which for us began hours before kick off. Getting into the stadium alone proved difficult - clearly the prospect of 3 Englishmen and an Egyptian didn't quite fit the security brief, confusing the gate staff even more wearing Finland, Atletico National (Colombia) and Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) shirts between us.

One man in particular, Mohammed Salah, seemed the publicly proclaimed King of Cairo, his face and name replicated more times than I could possibly describe. Despite not hailing from the city himself (he’s from Nagrig, a small Northern village), he seems to be the face of both the capital and the country at the moment.