After Egypt, Algerians see CAN Morocco match as battle between brothers

"Moroccans are our brothers. We love them because they rejoice in our football victories and achievements, unlike the Egyptians," said business-owner Nabil Abdellaoui.

By Abdou Tajj El-Din in Algiers for Magharebia – 18/03/10

When Algeria and Morocco face off in the 2012 African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifiers, it won't be the first time that the neighbors battle on the pitch. But after all the drama the Greens had with Egypt before winning their World Cup ticket, Algerians see the upcoming CAN Group 4 fight as a friendly contest among brothers.

CAF drew for the CAN qualifiers late last month in DR Congo. Out of the 44 national teams organized into 11 groups, Algeria and Morocco ended up together, along with Tanzania and Central African Republic.

Sports fans on the streets of the capital were eager to discuss the surprising draw results. The mere mention of an Algeria-Morocco game was enough to bring smiles to faces that used to scowl during the Egypt-Algeria World Cup and 2010 CAN chase.

For many Algeria supporters, Morocco playing in the Greens' group is like having two chances at winning the title.

"Moroccans are our brothers. We love them because they rejoice in our football victories and achievements, unlike the Egyptians," said Nabil Abdellaoui, owner of a perfume shop in Mohamadeya.

"Frankly, I wish we didn’t have to be in the same group in any qualifiers. But the 2012 CAN draw decided otherwise. I can only hope that Algeria win the title," the merchant said.

Kamel Laabadi, a civil servant in Chevalley, Algiers, said, "I still recall the 1986 World Cup when Algeria and Morocco qualified for Africa. We were delighted that Morocco made it to second place for the first time in the history of African football."

"Nowadays, Morocco never make it to the CAN finals, despite the talented players they have." He added, "I wish the Atlas Lions all the best."

Even those too young to remember what happened in 1986 see Morocco in a positive light.

"I was a kid in the late eighties," said Lina Malik, a university student from Ain Benian. "But when it comes to football, things are very different with Morocco than they are with Egypt. I wish we didn’t have to be the same group."

Algerian-Moroccan football encounters are always a thrill. The two teams have met on 23 different occasions through friendly and official matches. Their first game, on November 1st, 1965 in Algeria, ended in a goalless draw. Their most recent match was in January 2004, when Morocco beat Algeria at the CAN quarter-finals in Tunisia.

"When we got disqualified in Tunisia, I was sorry. But I was not sad, because a brotherly football team showed superior performance," said Amine Andaloussi, a sports journalist at Le Soir d’Algerie.

"Algeria and Morocco played some unforgettable games," agreed civil servant Samir Ouradi. "Even though we could not defeat the Moroccans for years, Algeria-Morocco games are always a thrill, and never yield any animosity."

"We hope that sports clears the airs between Algeria and Morocco," Ouradi said.

Magharebia also asked Algerian football players and coaches about the unexpected CAN qualifier draw.

Veteran Algerian coach Abdelhamid Kermali had hoped to avoid playing in the same group, so as to boost Maghreb chances at the biggest continental event. "However, the draw thought otherwise," he said. "I am certain our game with Morocco is going to be amicable and brotherly, nothing more, nothing less."

"The better team will win eventually," Kermali told Magharebia.

Former Greens footballer Lakhdar Belloumi also thinks the Algeria-Morocco qualifier will be a game among brothers.

"I played against the Moroccan team. I know that all our games with them are marked by excitement and honest competition. Never did any of our games violate the ethics of sportsmanship. I hope that will continue to be the hallmark of our next encounter with them," Belloumi said.

Algeria national coach Rabah Saadane has personal experience with Moroccan football. The Batna-born trainer, now in his 5th turn at the helm of his country's team, was with legendary Moroccan club Raja Casablanca when they won their first Botola in 1988 and the African Champions League title a year later.

"I never wanted to play against the Moroccan squad. I wanted to avoid such matches," he told Magharebia. "I was saddened by the fact that Morocco did not take part in the previous CAN. I am hoping they can make a strong comeback and represent Maghreb and Arab football in all continental and international tournaments."

"True, we did qualify for the World Cup, but that does not mean our job will be any easier in the CAN qualifiers, especially playing against Morocco who, I assume, will be doing their absolute best to make it to the tournament," the Greens' coach said.

"I am certain the game is going to be a tough one," Saadane added. "May the better team represent the Arab Maghreb in CAN."

Karim Ziani, the lead striker for the Greens, thinks the Algerian-Moroccan encounter will be one big football festival.

"We are sick and tired of playing against the Egyptians. That caused us a lot of trouble, which we need not mention here," Ziani told Magharebia.

"Our game against the Moroccans is going to be very different. They play fair and their fans love football away from any fanaticism," he stressed.

Ziani added, "I have come to know many Moroccan players, playing in France. I am on good terms with them, such as the brilliant forward Marouane Chamakh. I am truly excited about our upcoming game."

For his part, former Morocco coach (2002-2005) and current WAC manager Badou Zaki thinks that despite drawing with Algeria, the current crop of Atlas Lions can still make it to the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

"Morocco remain one of the greats of Africa and I can even assert that the national team will have its word to say in Group 7. The group includes Algeria, who are coming back strong on the African scene, but they remain within the grasp of the Atlas Lions," he told Arryadhia on March 17th.

Algerian sportswriter Amine Andaloussi shares Zaki's optimism.

"Moroccan football boasts prominent stars and is capable of begetting even more brilliant ones. They're only going through a temporary phase. With a player like Marouane Chamakh and others, they can still be a world-class team," Andaloussi said.

Source: Magharebia.com
Link: http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/reportage/2010/03/19/reportage-01.