Tanzania’s national coach, Adel Amrouche, has criticized the reception his team received in Algeria during the sixth matchday of the CAN 2023 qualifiers.
Tanzania is facing Algeria this Thursday in Annaba, in the sixth round of the CAN 2023 qualifiers. Currently second in Group F, behind the already qualified and assured-of-finishing-first Fennecs, the Taifa Stars are aiming for victory to secure their ticket to the final phase of the African competition.
This mission is no less perilous for the Tanzanians, who will face an undefeated Algerian team in these qualifying rounds. To make matters worse, the visitors had to endure the antics of local authorities upon their arrival in Algeria. This is what coach Adel Amrouche denounced, lamenting the reception his team received at the airport.
“When we arrived on Algerian soil, we were confronted with the negligence of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF). No one came to receive us, there was no contact person. We waited for eight hours at the borders. FAF officials did not answer their phones. It’s disgraceful for a country like ours,” said the Algerian coach, as reported by Africa Top Sports.
“We are tired of covering up these mistakes. It’s a shame! Eight hours without water, without anything to eat. We want to thank the customs and border police services who opened the honor hall for us. Without these kind people, it would have been a catastrophe because there are rules in such situations,” Adel Amrouche continued.
The coach of the Tanzanian national team also added, with a touch of disillusionment, “It is even more frustrating because I speak as an Algerian. Where has our solidarity gone? On-field disputes should not prevail over our unity as a nation. Algeria has ambitious projects, and it is imperative that we show solidarity in all circumstances.”
These strong criticisms from Adel Amrouche highlight the challenges that football officials in Algeria face in terms of welcoming foreign national teams and managing international relations in sports.
