The Evolution of Algerian Participation in African Competitions
Algerians have been actively participating in African competitions since 1968, consistently since the fall of 1975, which predates the involvement of other Maghreb teams. A recent match between CR Belouizdad and ASFAR from Marrakesh was noteworthy not only for its competitive spirit but also for its chaotic atmosphere. This encounter was marred by unexpected delays, beginning an hour late and concluding an hour past its scheduled time, leading spectators to feel as though there would never be a clear resolution to the game.
The Controversies Surrounding the Match
The issues that unfolded were not solely due to the crowd of ASFAR fans encroaching onto the field before the match started—an occurrence that has been witnessed in various stadiums across France and beyond. Nor were the provocations stemming from unfortunate remarks regarding territorial claims in the Sahara and Morocco indicative of true ownership; rather, they demonstrated the absurdity of such claims. After all, a nation that truly possesses land does not need to proclaim it to the world. Algerian fans, for instance, would never assert that Oran, Tindouf, or Tebessa belong to them. Even the Algerian supporters present at the match were not surprised by the Moroccan players' protests or their insistence on pausing the game for several minutes due to projectiles raining down onto the field, as these reactions were anticipated from a country that recently showcased its contentious nature on an international stage.
What truly astonished observers was the reaction from the Marrakesh press, which would have been better off maintaining silence rather than making a spectacle of itself. They captured a fleeting moment of CR Belouizdad supporters defending themselves on the pitch, claiming their ability to instill fear in their opponents, while simultaneously calling for visa restrictions on Algerians and demanding a substantial case be presented to exclude Algeria from African competitions. Such rhetoric only serves to highlight the shallow nature of the Moroccan media, which fails to deceive the world and instead misleads its own citizens—who increasingly believe in the fabricated narratives of oil discoveries and national achievements that bear no resemblance to reality.
Morocco has produced world-class players, from Ben Mabrouk to Hakim Ziyech, alongside legends like Aallal, Fraas, Timoumi, and others. However, the intrusion of political machinations into the realm of football has begun to unveil the shortcomings of this system and disrespect the populace that cherishes the sport, yearning for victories akin to those celebrated by football enthusiasts worldwide. The challenge for the people of Marrakesh lies in their misguided perception of adversaries within the football world. In Algeria, it is well-known that CR Belouizdad and its supporters are among the most honorable and sportsmanlike, a legacy inherited since the early 1970s when players like Kadou and Aissawi reached the finals of the Algerian Cup five consecutive times without securing the trophy, merely shedding tears of disappointment.
For two seasons, the Moroccan authorities have attempted to provoke CR Belouizdad with the controversy surrounding imaginary maps printed on their jerseys. The team initially withdrew from the competition but was later compelled by international courts to refrain from distorting geographic boundaries. They returned to face CR Belouizdad again, only to find that the players, led by Khaldi, do not fall for the same trick twice, nor do they fall for it at all.
As reported by echoroukonline.com.
