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Soccer enjoys the status of a national game in many countries and Alexandria is no exception. If Alexandrians are passionate about any game then it is the game of soccer. Not only Alexandria, but soccer features among the most widely played games in Egypt and northern Africa. Sports in ancient Egypt were a favorite pastime of the kings and often the decisive factor to prove one’s superiority. At times they were the decisive factor for many competitions. But with time, the ancient pastimes of the Egyptians have undergone change and Alexandrians have inculcated a taste for the widely played game over the whole world- Soccer. The game of soccer is played according to some specific guidelines. The rules were laid down by England after the formation of the Football Association. The 1863 Laws of the Game set sown by the institution became the accepted code and the game of soccer came to be played along this line. The game of soccer is internationally regulated by FIFA or Federation Internationale de Football Association. Soccer is a team sport and is usually played among two teams consisting of 11 players each. The game is either played on a grassy field or a man made turf with goal posts located at the extreme ends of the field. At the time of a soccer match in Alexandria, the spirit of the people is something to be seen and the stadium is filled up with enthusiast crowds cheering for their favorite team. Alexandria has four spacious stadiums were the Soccer matches generally takes place. The stadiums are Harras El Hedoud Stadium, El Krom Stadium, Alexandria stadium and Borg El Arab stadium. The Borg El Arab stadium is recently built with a visitor capacity of 80,000. In January 2006, Alexandria featured among the three main cities that took part in the African Cup of Nations. The African Cup of Nations is a tournament of international repute for the CAF (Confederation of African Nations) nations. Egypt emerged victorious in the tournament. The Egyptian soccer clubs named Al Ahly and Al Zamalek are reputed clubs all over the country.
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