Algerian Radio
The exhibition match bringing together the Western Sahara football team and a selection of former Algerian international players on Friday evening at the Nelson Mandela Stadium (Baraki) lived up to all expectations on every level. This unique sporting and humanitarian initiative aimed to highlight the Sahrawi people's attachment to their identity and their right to self-determination.
Before kickoff, a group photo was taken of both teams in the presence of several dignitaries, including the Sahrawi Ambassador to Algeria, Khatri Addouh; the Secretary General of the Sahrawi Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Said Dadi; the Sahrawi Central Director of Sports, Sid Ahmed Tahlil; the President of the Football Federation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Ahmed Baba Yahya Bouhoubeyni; and the President of the Algerian National Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People, Saïd Ayachi, along with other guests.
In the stands, the Algerian public braved the cold weather and strong winds witnessed in Algiers on Friday. Young and old, men and women, turned out in large numbers to express their support for the just cause of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, cheering on both squads with high sportsmanship in a festive football atmosphere on the pitch and in the stands.
Under the supervision of coach Younes Ifticen, the team of former Algerian internationals entered the match with a lineup featuring goalkeeper Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche, Rabie Meftah, Réda Babouche, Djamel Eddine Benlamri, Nacer Meddour, Hamza Koudri, Brahim Boushaba, Djamel Salama, Abdelmalek Ziaya, Lazhar Hadj Aissa, and Mohamed Amroune.
For its part, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic team began the match with a lineup including Wanati Khalihenna, Ahmed Banou, Sid Ahmed Jordi, Ismail Mendez, Mohamed Ghilani, Mohamed El Walou, Mouloud Said Ahmed Dah, Boula Hi Nan, Ali Ba Bouzid, and Cheikh Fadli, under the leadership of coach Mohamed Salem Kentaoui.
Despite the age factor, with a squad largely comprising players in their fifties, the Algerian team played a beautiful game overall and nearly clinched victory via a penalty kick in the 50th minute.
The opportunity arose following an individual effort on the left flank by substitute player Oussama Mokhtari, forcing a Sahrawi defender to intervene with his hand to clear the danger. The referee did not hesitate for a moment to point directly to the penalty spot.
Former JS Kabylie striker Hamid Berguiga stepped up to take the kick. He succeeded in his first attempt, but the referee ordered a retake due to players encroaching into the penalty area before the kick was taken.
Unfortunately for the national team, the player decided to change the angle for his second attempt, but this time the ball missed the target, hitting the Sahrawi goalkeeper's right post before going out of play.
For its part, the Sahrawi team displayed beautiful technical skills during this exhibition match, which was played in two halves of 35 minutes each.
Regardless of the score, which remained goalless (0-0) until the final whistle, this celebratory encounter met expectations, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Sahrawi Republic.
In this context, the Sahrawi Ambassador to Algeria, Khatri Addouh, affirmed that the Sahrawi people "possess all the necessary energy and capabilities to continue their struggle in various fields to recover their inalienable rights and embody the policy of the Sahrawi State."
