Algeria defeated Egypt 1-0 in the World Cup playoff at Al-Merreikh's Stadium in Omdurman to book the last African place at next year's South Africa finals.

Their victory not only sparked wild celebrations, but also prompted their fans to pour onto the streets of Sudan's capital Khartoum and target every single Egyptian.

"They did that after they won, what would have happened if they lost? Thanks God that we did not win," Egyptian journalist Wael Al-Ebrashi, a member of a huge delegation which flew to Sudan to support the national team in the crucial encounter, told Nile Sports upon his arrival in Cairo.

The delegation included renowned TV presenters, actors, actresses, singers and members of Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party.

President Hosni Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Alaa, were also present in the stands to cheer for the Pharaohs as they sought to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1990.

Sudan pledged to tighten security for the game but hardly lived up to their words, with Algerian fans stoning the Egyptians' buses and running after any opposing supporter with knives and blades.

"Save us, we are dying," infamous singer Mohamed Fouad shouted in a phone call with Orbit TV

"I can't tell you where we are now; I can't say it live because we are hiding."

Many fans said they were not able to reach the airport to fly home while others said they were sheltering in the houses of Sudanese citizens.

Orbit presenter Amr Adib called on them to stay put until aid arrives following the intervention of president Mubarak.

Egyptian minister of information Anas Al-Fiqi revealed that Mubarak contacted the Sudanese government to protect Egyptian people, hinting that if they failed to do so the country would send troops to bring them home.

Algerian fans posted a video on YouTube waving their knives to 'warm up for the war'.

On Tuesday night, one day before the tense affair, an Algerian fan posted a threatening message to Egyptians on the same website.

"We are going to Sudan to avenge the deaths of our people in your country," he said.

Algerian paper Echorouk alleged that eight people were killed after Egypt defeated their North African rivals 2-0 on Saturday to force a playoff.

Algerian ambassador to Cairo and the Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman firmly denied those reports shortly after.

Damn Unity

An Egyptian 20-year-old girl, called Nada, phoned Nile Sports to send an SOS message.

"There are three Algerian men running after me and seven six other girls," she told veteran journalist Ibrahim Hegazi, who presents a program in the state-owned channel, while crying.

"Help me, I don't know what to do. I'm very afraid," she added before her voice gave out on her.

Hegazi, who like his fellow presenters was trying to contact officials from the Sudanese government to protect Egyptian people on a gloomy night for the country, was lost for words.

"I don't know what to say. Damn the so-called Arab unity, we should no longer talk about it," he commented.

"We should review our situations; we can no longer bear such incidents."

Several people appeared on TV with scars on their face following their arrival in Cairo, saying it was a night to forget.

Facebook groups were immediately created to call on the Egyptian government to take an action against Algeria.

Demands to expel the Algerian ambassador to Cairo were very common.

Algerian fans waving their knives

The Algerian threatening message