A distressing incident occurred yesterday evening at the Nelson Mandela stadium, during the Algeria-Ethiopia match. Rabah Madjer was whistled by the supporters present. But the Algerian football legend received unquestionable support from everyone.
National team A’ challenged Ethiopia last night. She won by the smallest of margins, signed Mahious, synonymous with qualification for the next round of CHAN.
The match took place in good conditions. There was atmosphere in the stands and entertainment on the pitch. Everything was going well, until the 81st minute when Rabah Madjer appeared on the two giant screens at the Nelson Mandela Stadium. Suddenly, an incident occurred. Indeed, the former national coach was whistled by the supporters present. He was so dejected and upset that he could not give a statement to the media who were waiting for him when he left the stadium.
It must be said that the incident sparked a lively controversy on social networks. Many have shown their strong support for Madjer; “We do not touch a legend”.
An impressive wave of support for Madjer
It must also be said that the majority of Algerians are angry with the supporters who whistled Rabah Madjer. Admittedly, the latter failed as a coach, but he remains a legend and icon of Algerian football. Also, this kind of behavior is absolutely useless. Rather, it was necessary to give a good image of Algeria and national football in particular, especially since our country claims to host CAN-2025.
At the end of the match, the former FC Porto star received the support of national coach A’ Madjid Bougherra and a few players. “I thank the supporters who supported us. But when it comes to a former player, you have to stay positive. We must always be grateful to the one who has given so much to national football in the past. Said Bougherra.
“It’s a sin to have a legend like Madjer whistle. I hope this does not happen again in the future”. Says the striker Meziane. Or defender Keddad: “Whether we like it or not, Madjer is a legend. We must remain legends.
Slimani, Derradji, the FAF, the COA…
This is not all since the said incident also aroused the reaction of the Algerian international Islam Slimani. The latter made a photo of Madjer’s heel on his story on his official Instagram account on which he wrote: “The real ones know that you are our legend”.
The Algerian legend also had the support of the Algerian Football Federation. The latter posted a photo of Madjer on Facebook with a hashtag “respect”. Ditto for the Algerian Olympic Committee.
BeIN Sports commentator Hafid Derradji joins the list of pimps. “Madjer, the Algerian, the human, the footballer and the legend deserves all the respect, not the whistles. That the new generation in love with the round ball must be proud of the icons who have brought glory to Algerian football. He wrote on his social media accounts.
This is also the case for Hakim Medane, an official in the CHAN organizing committee. “Being responsible at the LOC, I give my full support to Rabah Madjer. It’s really sad what he went through at the Neslon Mandela stadium. When he was a player, he always put the national team first. Before being a football legend, he is first and foremost a pleasant person. His heel has become a trademark of his name and remains the pride of all Algerians.
الجزائري رابح ماجر الإنسان و واللاعب الأسطورة ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ، ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي ي الاحترام worley ، و وليس التنمر وا bac
على الأجيال الصاعدة الشغوفة بالكرة، والعاشقة للمنتخب، والمحبة للوطن، أن تتحلى بالأخلاق الحميدة، و تكبر على الافتخار برموزها التي ساهمت في صنع مجد الجزائر في كل المجالات pic.twitter.com/pdH9MkpNt1— hafid derradji حفيظ دراجي (@derradjihafid) January 17, 2023
