HIBAPRESS – Shafiq Anouri
African football fans reacted with sarcasm and mockery to the campaign launched by parties from Tunisia and Algeria against Morocco's ability to successfully organize the Africa Cup of Nations, by spreading false claims related to imaginary problems during the tournament.
Journalists and media professionals from Tunisia and Algeria had published claims regarding the impact of rain on the stadiums and power outages, which were denied by the fans of both countries who were present in the field.
This campaign sparked the ridicule of a group of African fans, who chose to express their admiration for Morocco's huge capabilities in hosting major sporting events and providing a comfortable environment for its visitors, in a mocking manner.
In this context, a Cameroonian fan named Mongo Bitti said in a tweet he published on his "X" platform account: "I am sorry, but this is the worst opening day in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations."
Bitti added: "We must stop giving the organization to capable countries. The next edition must be organized by Chad, as we need stadiums where snakes hide."
South African Paulin Chwalak, who is the head of the digital marketing department at the company "Promasidor" specializing in providing food products in the African continent, responded mockingly: "We are not used to this luxury."
Chwalak continued: "This doesn't really look like the 'Africa Cup of Nations'. The lights work well, the anthems are fine, the grass is in perfect condition… What is this circus?"
Another African fan, named Sam Bonn, said: "In fact, the players here are very comfortable, they know that they are playing on a level and good-smelling surface."
He added: "While the ground is supposed to be one where every step threatens to twist your ankle. And the smell of the grass paralyzes you, and the interventions leave you with scars," concluding: "This is too professional."
For his part, a Senegalese fan who calls himself "Atsushi" explained: "The stadiums are too clean and excessively cared for… Where are the floors where players risk losing their ankles with every contact?"
He continued: "And on top of that, the players are staying in good conditions… Give us back our rooms of eight square meters for each team and staff, this is my Africa Cup of Nations."
In turn, a Cameroonian fan named Glenn, demanded the return of matches that "are played under 40 degrees Celsius in the shade, with extreme humidity in the air, and yellow grass."
And a Senegalese fan named Joe, in a sarcastic manner, confirmed that the current tournament is "completely unfair," because "the small teams accustomed to playing in stadiums that resemble cauliflower have become in an unequal situation."
It is worth noting that Tunisian media personality and sports critic Wael Fattouch, revealed that there is a systematic campaign aimed at questioning Morocco's ability to succeed in the Africa Cup of Nations, confirming that he received a request to join it, but he categorically refused, and asked anyone who envies the Kingdom to stay away from it.
