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Rabat – Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune reacted to the Atlas Lions’ 2022 World Cup achievement for the first time, 17 days following the France-Morocco semi-finals game held on December 14.
Commenting on Morocco’s World Cup gains, Tebboune said that “Moroccans have honored Arab football and especially Maghreb football.”
Tebboune also recalled Moroccans’ support for the Algerian national team during the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.
“They applauded us when we won the African Cup of Nations,” he said in an interview with French news outlet LeFigaro.
King Mohammed VI addressed a cable of congratulations to Algeria to applaud their team’s performance during CAN 2019.
“On this historic event, on behalf of the entire Moroccan people, I am pleased to share with the Algerian people our pride in this deserved coronation,” the monarch said.
Tebboune’s remarks on Morocco’s World Cup achievement came as a surprise as the North African country initially made no reaction to the Atlas Lions’ achievements.
Unlike many countries across the world, especially Arab ones, neither Algeria’s regime nor its press commented on Morocco’s spectacular performances during the global tournament.
State television channels also politicized the sport by completely ignoring Morocco’s victories during the World Cup.
Algerian television channel TV 2 Algerie sparked controversy after only featuring three matches as part of its 2022 World Cup group stage coverage without making a mention of Morocco’s 2-0 victory against Belgium.
Despite making international headlines, several media outlets in Algeria, including state television channels have avoided reporting on their neighbor’s achievement in the tournament.
Some linked Algeria’s lack of coverage to instructions from the Algerian regime.
Algeria’s regime cut diplomatic ties with Morocco in August 2021. Morocco has been calling on the Algerian government to engage in a frank and direct dialogue to end the political stalemate between the two countries.
