The exhibition match between the Western Sahara national football team and the Algerian international veterans team, yesterday evening, Friday, fulfilled all its promises.
At all levels, within the framework of this distinguished sporting and humanitarian initiative, which aims to highlight the Sahrawi people’s adherence to their identity and their right to self-determination.
The match took place at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, Algiers. Its launch was preceded by a group photo taken between the two teams, in the presence of a number of personalities, including the Sahrawi Ambassador to Algeria, Khatri Adoh, the Secretary-General of the Sahrawi Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Said Didi, the Sahrawi Central Director of Sports, Sayed Ahmed Tahlil, the President of the Football Federation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Ahmed Baba Yahia Bouhabini, and the President of the Algerian National Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People, Saeed Ayachi, in addition to a number of guests.
Also in the stands, the Algerian fans braved the cold weather and strong winds that Algiers witnessed yesterday, Friday. They moved in large numbers to express their support for the just cause of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and they supported the two formations in a high sporting spirit, in a festive football atmosphere on the field and in the stands.
Under the supervision of coach Younes Iftisan, the Algerian international veterans team entered the match with a squad that included goalkeeper Mohamed Amine Zamamouche, Rabih Moftah, Reda Babouche, Jamal Eddine Ben Amri, Nasser Medawar, Hamza Koudari, Ibrahim Boushabha, Djamel Salama, Abdelmalek Ziaya, Lazhar Haj Issa, and Mohamed Amroun.
For its part, the Western Sahara national team began the match with a squad that included Wanati Khalihna, Ahmed Bano, Sayed Ahmed Geordi, Ismail Mendes, Mohamed Gilani, Mohamed El-Walou, Mouloud Said Ahmed Dah, Bola Hi Nan, Ali Ba Bouzid, and Sheikh Fadli, under the leadership of coach Mohamed Salem Kentaoui.
The age factor did not affect the Algerian players
Despite the weight of the age factor, as the squad included players mostly from the 50s, the Algerian team played a beautiful match as a whole, and almost won it in their favor via a penalty kick in the 50th minute of the match.
The shot came as a result of an individual effort on the left side by reserve player Osama Mokhtari, which forced the Sahrawi defender to intervene with his hand to remove the danger. The match referee did not hesitate for a moment to point directly to the penalty point.
The kick was carried out by former Shabab Kabylie striker, Hamid Barqa, who succeeded in his first attempt, but the referee ordered a re-execution due to some players entering the penalty area before the kick was executed.
Unfortunately for the Algerian team, the player decided to change the angle on his second attempt, but this time the ball went sideways and hit the right post of the Sahrawi team’s goalkeeper before leaving the field.
For its part, the Sahrawi team showed beautiful artistic glimpses during this exhibition match, which was held in two halves, each lasting 35 minutes.
Regardless of the result, which remained the same (0-0) until the final whistle, this celebratory meeting lived up to expectations, in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Sahrawi Republic.
In this context, the Sahrawi ambassador to Algeria, Khatri Adoh, confirmed this in statements I reported Algerian News AgencyThe Sahrawi people “possess all the necessary energies and capabilities to continue their struggle in various fields in order to regain their inalienable rights and embody the policy of the Sahrawi state.”
The Algeria national team coach praises the Western Sahara national team
For his part, Younes Iftisan, coach of the Algerian international veterans team, said: “Today, we faced a young Sahrawi team. The most important thing in the match is that it continues the message of the Sahrawi issue. I hope that international bodies such as the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will take into account the Sahrawi state so that we do not deprive their youth and talents of playing football.”
Almost the same impression was expressed by the former Algerian international player, Lazhar Hadj, when he said: “This match took place on the occasion of the founding of the Sahrawi Football Federation. Playing sports is a legal right for every human being, and I wish them all the best in the coming days. This initiative is not something new for Algeria as long as it contributed to such just causes. I thank the large fans who were in the stands.”
As for Djamel Belamri, captain of the Algerian national team for veteran players, he said: “The match against the brotherly Sahrawi national team was like a football wedding. This match was not just a friendly match, but rather a message to the entire world and, in the same context, confirms Algeria’s position on such just issues. The Sahrawi national team includes young players who have the right to represent their country in various international competitions. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this initiative, and I wish all the Algerian people and the Islamic nation a blessed Ramadan.”
Western Sahara national team players are proud of their participation in the historic match
In turn, the players of the Western Sahara national team expressed their great happiness and pride in playing yesterday’s match. This is similar to Mouloud Said, who declared: “Today’s match is a clear message related to the Sahrawi issue, through which we aspire to confirm our presence to the entire world. Our victory today does not lie in organizing an exhibition match in Algeria only, but also in establishing the Sahrawi Football Federation.”
For his part, his colleague Ali Mahmoud Freghin said: “I would like to thank the Algerian players for this initiative and their support for the Sahrawi cause. I was aware that the supporters of sisterly Algeria would be present in force in the stands. We have a young squad and we will continue to work by playing many matches to improve the level.”
It is worth noting that, last Wednesday, in Algeria, the establishment was officially announced Sahrawi Football Federation. This historic announcement came during an official ceremony held at the Mazafran Hotel in Zeralda, Algiers.
The announcement of the establishment of the Sahrawi Arab Republic Football Federation comes in the context of the Sahrawi people’s efforts to consolidate their presence in the international sports arena.
#Western #Sahara #national #team #draws #Algerian #stars #Algeria
oussama_boulegheb
