“We won but what interests me is people's smiles!
Oualid raises the cup on a small crowded stage.
Children, supporters, family, players, victory is savored together.
In Mantes-la-Jolie, Algeria won the African Cup of Nations neighborhoods this Saturday evening against Morocco (1-0), after a match that kept the suspense until the end.
“The first time we were in the semis, last year in the final, this time it was the right one, smiles the team captain.
We were very defensive because we didn't want to lose.
From the first minutes of play, the red jerseys of Morocco were particularly offensive, chaining the good chances.
“It was a hotly contested match, unfortunately we did not win, regrets Ryan Boutagni, the coach of the Moroccan team.
Next year if I have one promise to make to you, it's that we won't let go.
The goalkeeper of the fallen team still won the trophy for the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
The goal scored by Tomy Bouseksou 10 minutes from the end of the match.
LP/Julie Menard
It was finally the Algerian striker, Tomy Bouseksou, who scored the first goal of the evening… 10 minutes from the end of the match.
Something to wake up the supporters in the middle of a battle of empty water bottles and enticing slogans.
Until the end, however, the atmosphere remained friendly.
"I'm proud to be there, it's a great gathering, appreciates Yassine, 21 years old.
It shows that there is a good atmosphere in the neighborhoods, contrary to the bad image that can be conveyed in the media.
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Parents, children, grandparents, soccer players, elected officials, associations, traders… The event brings everyone together around the ball.
“It gives a taste for sport through the values of sharing, smiles Youssef, 31.
It's very well organized and there's no rivalry per se, it's two neighborhood teams.
This is evidenced by the chants repeated by the children who invaded the lawn over the course of the match.
"Three, two, one, long live the Moroccans, one, two, three, long live Algeria", they launch in the same sentence.
And this supporter at the start of the match summarized the evening: “We are there with friends, even if we lose, it's as if we had won because we are together.
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