Reportage
CHAN 2023: in Oran, Cameroonians reassured by the welcome of Algerian supporters
The Cameroonian flag waved at the 2022 World Cup. AFP - PHILIP FONG
Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
3 mins
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.
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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 coach to players, including journalists, the feeling of awe 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 Côte d'Ivoire 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 in the play-off match
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 provoked him by referring to the Algeria-Cameroon match lost in residence.
“
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 relatives asked me not to go out or not to go for a walk in the street
, confides captain Yves-Alain Moukoko.
But I reassured them
.
Because it is an “ extraordinary
” welcome
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
, ”says local Indomitable Lions coach 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.
Young people discuss Cameroon in a cafe in downtown Oran.
© Ndiasse SAMBE
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 are 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 the Cameroonians
, continues Houari
, we only want Gassama
[the Gambian referee of the match lost against Cameroon, editor's note]
and Samuel Eto'o
".
An Algeria-Cameroon in the semi-finals?
The president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, who arrived in Oran during the day, took a step towards "
peace
" with his Algerian "
friends
" by declaring that he was going to support the Fennecs' candidacy 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... "
That's going to be another story
," laughs Djebli, a taxi driver in Oran.
CHAN 2023 in Algeria: Schedule and results
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CHAN 2022
Cameroon
Algeria
Congo Brazzaville