After a year 2002 where the tension was at its peak between Algeria and Cameroon, the Indomitable Lions feared their arrival in Oran to compete in the CHAN.
From our special correspondent in Oran,
” Pleasantly surprised was the phrase most used by Cameroonians present in Oran on Sunday January 15, 24 hours before the Cameroon-Congo match in group E of CHAN 2023. From the coach to the players, including journalists, the feeling of fear gave way to tranquility.
It must be said that the events of 2022 had raised the tension so much that many feared an explosion during this CHAN that Cameroonians had once threatened to boycott. A brief reminder of the facts. Act 1: during the CAN 2022 organized in Cameroon, the public of Douala takes up the cause of the Ivory Coast against Algeria (3-1), reigning African champion. Under the whistles of Cameroonian supporters, the Greens are beaten (3-1) and eliminated from the CAN. Two months later, Cameroon put an end to the dream of Algerian fans for the World Cup in Qatar by crucifying Algeria at the last minute during the match of play-offs for the 2022 World Cup (2-1 ap). Finally, a little over a month ago, Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation, hit an Algerian youtuber in Qatar after he had provoked him by referring to the Algeria-Cameroon match lost at home.
“ We feel at home »
What rekindle the tensions already existing and make fear the worst for Cameroonians when treading the soil of the Fennecs. ” Me, my family, my loved ones asked me not to go out or go for a walk in the streetsays Captain Yves-Alain Moukoko. But I reassured them “.
Because it is a welcome extraordinary that he and his teammates have received since their arrival. “I can certify that we were pleasantly surprised and very happy with the welcome. We feel at home “, testifies the coach of the local Indomitable Lions Alioum Saidou. A sensation confirmed by journalists from Cameroon’s national television (CRTV). ” When we do reports in the street with our CRTV polo shirts or when we do our little shopping, we meet the people who mess with us when they realize that we are Cameroonians. There is no animosity “says reporter Joseph Gweth.
In Oran, the Algerians insist that they have no hostile feelings towards Cameroonians. However, some will not turn into supporters of the Indomitables. A group of young people met at the Petit Royal, a café on Avenue Emir Abdelkader, thus unanimously proclaims that they will all be behind Congo this Monday against Cameroon. ” We’re going to whistle the Cameroonians, but it’s fair game, it’s to stress them, because we want them to lose “, admits Yahya. ” We have nothing against Cameroonianscontinues Houariwe only blame Gassama [l’arbitre gambien du match perdu contre le Cameroun, NDLR] and to Samuel Eto’o “.
An Algeria-Cameroon in the semi-finals?
The president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, who arrived in Oran during the day, has, for his part, taken a step towards ” peace ” with its ” friends Algerians by declaring that he was going to support the candidacy of the Fennecs for the organization of the CAN 2025. An exit which should further appease relations between Algeria and Cameroon. But if all goes well on the pitch, the two teams could meet in the CHAN semi-finals…” Well, that’s gonna be another story », warns with a laugh Djebli, a taxi driver in Oran.
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