Riyad Mahrez celebrates after the decisive goal in the African Cup of Nations (photo Ansa)
ROME – Algeria is the second finalist of the Africa Cup of football. The team coached by Djamel Belmadi, in the semi-final played on the field at the International Stadium in Cairo, beat Nigeria 2-1. The 95th-minute free kick by Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez was decisive: a champion shot that sent the Algerian fans into raptures. Even too much, looking at what happened in France after the semi-final step, where the enthusiasm of the vast community of North African origin was soon transformed into clashes of devastation and free vandalism.
And hostile criticism, again from France, to the Algerian team's vein of ill-concealed racism. The hero of the evening has not forgotten. On his profile he has sarcastically dedicated the victory to a member of the extreme right of the lepenist Julien Odoul, regional political exponent of the Rassemblement National. That in his post invited without too many compliments the French to cheer Nigeria to liquidate the issue. ("To avoid further violence and looting, to avoid the wave of Algerian flags, to preserve our national holiday, do not expect anything from Castaner (French Interior Minister, ed.). Trust the 11 Nigerian players!"
Mahrez answered him first on the field and then on the social networks: "This free kick is for you. We are united ”with flags from France and Algeria. Punishment and revenge served with crystalline class.
The Manchester City champion then added: "Football is bigger than hate, good evening". Odoul's reply was not long in coming: "It is too much honor (to receive your reply, ed). Your decisive free kick was as remarkable as the devastation of your "supporters" in France is unbearable. Be good at reporting them forcefully and asking for calm, "wrote the politician. This morning the French Interior Minister announced the arrests of 282 Algerians, between last night and the early hours of today. (source Gazzetta.it)
The Mahrez article brings Algeria to the final and dedicates the goal to the French Lepenist deputy who seemed to be the first on the daily Blitz .
Source: Blitz Quotidiano