Casablanca – Head coach Jamal Sellami has become an unexpected talking point during and after Algeria’s World Cup match against Jordan, as several Algerian media figures and fans repeatedly highlighted the coach’s nationality.
In clips widely shared on social media before kickoff, pundits on Algerian television suggested that Sellami could approach the match with extra motivation simply because he is Moroccan.
Some commentators framed the fixture as more than a regular World Cup encounter, questioning whether the Moroccan coach would be especially determined to defeat Algeria.
The discussion continued online throughout the buildup, with many social media users criticizing the focus on Sellami’s nationality rather than the tactical side of the game itself.
Jordan appeared close to securing a positive result for much of the match before Algeria completed a late comeback to win 2-1.
After the final whistle, another video quickly circulated online showing an Algerian supporter shouting at Sellami while the Moroccan coach greeted sections of the crowd and applauded supporters near the pitch.
The incident came despite Sellami himself adopting a calm tone after the match.
“When you see a team like Algeria celebrate a victory against you after coming back from two goals down, that is something to be proud of,” Sellami said following the game.
Sellami’s presence at the tournament has also drawn attention to the growing profile of Moroccan coaches on the international stage. The former Morocco international previously represented the Atlas Lions at the 1998 World Cup before returning to football’s biggest stage this year as Jordan’s head coach.
