Football fever in Cairo!

It was the eve of the football match between Egypt and Algeria. I was sitting on a bus in the middle of a traffic jam, heading into town with a bunch of over-excited kids creating more noise than the cars around us.
These kids were from a non-government run school that my Australian friend Natasha (who I was visiting) has been working at for the past 2 years. After accompanying Natasha out to the school, we were on the bus with the kids who were headed into town for a performance. Natasha whispered as we boarded the bus to be warned of the inevitable high decibel levels we were about to experience, which were only to increase due to the football. Armed with drums and excitement, the kids got on the bus with electric energy. I know Melbournians can be sport crazy, however nothing prepared me for the fever that sweeps through Egypt during football season! Immediately the drumming and chanting began, the kids dancing, clapping, shouting, singing and jumping. The closer we got in to town, the louder they became, hanging out the windows bellowing their excitement at the cars we passed. Our bus became the centre of attention, and soon, amidst all the city traffic, we had the whole neighbourhood honking in rhythm to their drum chant. It was hilarious, and I enjoyed watching the looks on peoples faces change from confounded interest to appreciation and amusement. That night, I could hear every scored goal as the whole city erupted in their roar of applause. The game came to a sudden halt, as the city became strangely subdued. Egypt had lost to their Algerian opposition. We were relieved, as the quiet allowed us some sleep!