Rabat- Former Algerian international football player and member of the Algerian Football Federation (AFF) Hakim Medane has become the target of an outpouring of criticism on social media.
Medane received the Ghanaian delegation which is participating in the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria, on January 3.
In a video that has made the rounds on social media, the former football player is seen constantly looking at his phone while welcoming the delegation saying, “Welcome to Algeria, we are happy to welcome your great national team. In Algeria, we call Brazilian football, welcome to Algeria.”
مسؤول جزائري يستقبل ضيوف الشان ب google traduction pic.twitter.com/fO1NdD80hl
— i h s s a n e ۞ (@IhssaneSghir) January 3, 2023
Social media users claimed that he was clearly using Google Translate and that he was unable to say simple greetings in English.
On Twitter, Algerians condemned Medane’s behavior, writing, “Hakim Medane receives the Ghanaian delegation with Google translator.”
حكيم مدان يستقبل الوفد الغاني بمترجم google ??♂️ pic.twitter.com/lGn3OcDTdL
— ?? 1.2.3 viva l’algerie (@vivalalgerie7) January 3, 2023
Others have said that he could not even memorize two words and he was constantly checking his phone while in the presence of the delegation.
Some social media users have expressed support for Medane, pointing out his significant contributions to Algerian football and arguing that this is simply an effort to damage Algeria’s reputation.
The 2023 African Nations Championship is set to be held in Algeria from January 13 to February 4.
Morocco’s participation in the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) remains in doubt, with the North African country stating that Algeria and the Confederation of African Football have yet to respond to its request for its team to fly directly to the Algerian city of Constantine.
Read Also: CHAN: Algeria, CAF Are Still to Answer Morocco’s Request for Directly Flight Route
