BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a shocking revelation, sources from Dzair Tube uncover a sinister and dubious plan orchestrated by Morocco to influence African football teams. The scheme involves offering Moroccan coaches to lead African national teams, with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation covering their salaries.
Coaches such as Badou Zaki are mentioned, who is said to be appointed to train the Niger national team, along with Rachid Loustik, who is rumored to be in consideration for coaching the Somalia national team. The motive behind this maneuver is to gain influence over African football associations, sparking concerns about fair play and autonomy.
The involvement of Moroccan officials, including the Minister of Youth and Sports and Fouzi Lakjaa, is cited in the context of previous controversies. It’s noted that Lakjaa and the Makhzen were involved in actions that contributed to the exclusion of Algerian teams, such as Union Sportive de la Medina Alger “Medina Algiers Sports Union” and the sidelining of Riyad Mahrez from CAF awards.
Renowned Algerian sports commentator, Hafid Derradji, expressed strong disapproval of Mahrez’s exclusion from the final list of nominees for the African Player of the Year award. He described it as a “farce” and decried the decision, especially considering Mahrez’s outstanding achievements, including a historic treble with Manchester City.
Derradji took to his social media platform to highlight Mahrez’s remarkable stats during the 2022-2023 season, showcasing 17 goals and 19 assists with Manchester City. He pointed out the significant achievements of Mahrez, securing the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup titles, questioning the altered criteria for the prestigious award.
مهزلة ..
رياض محرز يقصى من التواجد ضمن القائمة المصغرة للمنافسة على جائزة أفضل لاعب في افريقيا التي يبدو أن معاير التتويج بها تغيرت ، واتحاد الجزائر الفائز بكأس الكاف وكأس السوبر الافريقي يقصى بدوره من المنافسة على لقب أفضل نادي، في سابقة شكلت فضيحة كبرى صدمت الأسرة الكروية…— hafid derradji حفيظ دراجي (@derradjihafid) December 7, 2023
Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez responded to the controversy through an Instagram story, sharing a video featuring his extraordinary skills during his time with Manchester City. The video includes a symbolic gesture of “silence,” interpreted by some as a message directed towards the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after his official exclusion from the award.
The exclusion of Riyad Mahrez from the list of nominees has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning the criteria and transparency of the selection process. The controversy unfolds amid accusations of Moroccan interference in African football, adding a new layer to the intricate dynamics of the continent’s football scene.