HIBAPRESS – Sports
The Algerian Football Federation issued an official statement following the elimination of the Algerian national team from the quarter-finals of the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco, in which it called on the Algerian fans to show solidarity and support the team, while emphasizing that the players and coaching staff showed commitment and seriousness throughout the competition, which requires appreciation and encouragement.
The Federation stressed that the refereeing decisions in the last match against Nigeria caused widespread dissatisfaction, confirming that it had contacted both the Confederation of African Football and FIFA to clarify the circumstances and request the opening of an official investigation. The statement also called for drawing lessons from the participation to enhance performance in preparation for the upcoming events, foremost of which is the World Cup finals scheduled in less than five months. However, what caught the eye in the statement is the Algerian Federation's neglect of thanking the Moroccan authorities for the welcome that the Algerian team received throughout its stay in the Kingdom. This step was raised by the players and the coach in their statements after the matches, where they expressed their appreciation for the Moroccan hospitality and the authorities' keenness to provide all facilities, but the Algerian Federation chose not to mention this in its official statement. This neglect comes in the context of the continuation of what observers describe as the "Kabarana" regime's discourse, which tends to ignore or diminish any Moroccan contribution and is hostile to everything Moroccan, which creates a gap between the practical practice of the players on the ground and the context of the Federation's official discourse. The statement affirmed the Federation's appreciation for the fans and the media that accompanied the Algerian team, and renewed its confidence in the group, the coaching staff, and all those responsible for Algerian football, while emphasizing the continuation of efforts to maintain the team's position among the best African teams.
