If for months the Algerians live to the rhythm of the demonstrations against "the system", it is a passion that makes them invest the street even more spontaneously lately: football. Since the start of the CAN-2019 in Egypt, the exemplary career of the Fennecs in the main competition of the continent has given some Algerians a lot of heart. The Greens, eliminated in the first round in the previous edition, the only team not yet conceded goal, are now a favorite of this edition.
With each victory, it is like a single man that the Algerians, supporters or not, break in the streets of Algiers and elsewhere to let their joy explode. Klaxons, youyou, songs ... until the end of the night, they celebrate those who give them another source of pride. Scenes of popular jubilation that flooded the social networks after each victory.
Algiers jubilant after the qualification of the Greens. It starts and the evening is going to be long. pic.twitter.com/fk5tVrWIb3
Hamdi (@HamdiBaala) July 7, 2019-
#Oran: The Oranais joy at the seafront after the #LesVerts win against Guinea # CAN2019 #ALGGUI #TeamDZ #DZ #algerie #Fennecs # AFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/giSXejmB9I
Jalil Mehnane (@Jalil_mehnane) July 7, 2019-
Today Algeria won, we go to the quarterfinals it's crazy. Even on the other side of the world the Algerian youth is present. Hamdullah ???? ????????????????????????
Silly tik tik tik tik # CAN2019 #Algerie #ALGGUI #GUIALG # Quebec #JeanTalon - #SaintMichel pic.twitter.com/41a3brlns6
For some supporters, there is no doubt that the Algerian football selection "draws its strength from that of Hirak" [protest movement, Ed] says Seif Eddine, sociology student who runs weekly against power.
"The Hirak has made me proud to be Algerian," he continues, to better point out that it is now the same for the course of the Fennecs. "Like the people, the fear has left the Greens, it allows them to play more calmly," says Khalil Zendagui, law student in Biskra (400 km southeast of Algiers).
The songs of supporters omnipresent during the demonstrations
Since February 22, the date of the beginning of the protest against the fifth term of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, then for the departure of the "system", the songs of supporters usually sung in the stadiums took possession of the street. The casa del Mouradia, song of the platforms of supporters of the Sports Union of the Medina of Algiers (USMA), one of the most important football clubs in the country, has also become one of the hymns of peaceful marches Friday.
"The Greens have offered us freshness and joy in these days of heat wave and doubt in the face of the country's crisis," says Asma Brahimi, another student. "The time of the matches, we can forget the political crisis", abounds Ahmed Benbrahim, a retired teacher.
"Our Fennecs are making a little way like the people since February 22. (...) And, like the Hirak, this team carries enormous promises," summarizes Messaoud Saidane. "But the hardest thing remains to be done," immediately chases this "football buff".
Yacine Benahmed also believes that it is appropriate for Algeria - whose last continental title dates back to the pre-civil war period (1990) - to remain on guard. But this time, at least, "the power will not recover the victory of the Fennecs, because the football fans form the beating heart of Hirak".
AFP