Algerian fans visiting Côte d’Ivoire to support their national team for the 2023 Cup of Nations (AFCON) quickly stirred controversy, after criticizing everyday life in the host country on social media.
Algeria supporters were shown on several videos where they are seen complaining, insulting and harassing locals while attending AFCON games.
?? ALERTE | Un supporter algérien a diffusé une vidéo en LIVE où il dénigre plus méchamment encore que Sofia #Benlemmane, de jeunes ivoiriennes dans les rues de #Bouaké.
Les autorités ivoiriennes refusent pour l’instant d’infliger des peines carcérales à ces fauteurs de trouble. pic.twitter.com/tbNf8eAgTx
— La Revue Afrique (@larevueafrique) January 17, 2024
The succession of lives, interviews, videos and social media posts from Algerian supporters across social media platforms has kept flowing since the tournament’s start.
?? ALERTE | Un supporter algérien a diffusé une vidéo en LIVE où il dénigre plus méchamment encore que Sofia #Benlemmane, de jeunes ivoiriennes dans les rues de #Bouaké.
Les autorités ivoiriennes refusent pour l’instant d’infliger des peines carcérales à ces fauteurs de trouble. pic.twitter.com/tbNf8eAgTx
— La Revue Afrique (@larevueafrique) January 17, 2024
The North African fans additionally criticized the Ivory Coast’s organization of the AFCON, so soon after the tournament’s kickoff.
Algerian fan and content creator Sofia Benlemmane, currently in Cote d’Ivoire, was slammed by Ivorian locals for belittling their country and comparing the lifestyle there to “the Stone Age.”
The video, residing in France and documenting her experience in the AFCON host country, was translated into different languages and widely spread among Ivorians.
« La misère en Côte d’Ivoire est comparable à l’ère de la préhistoire… Normalement l’Algérie ne devrait pas se situer sur le continent africain avec ces gens, elle doit être entre l’Espagne et le Portugal…»
C’est le discours de l’influenceuse algérienne Sofia Benlemmane,… pic.twitter.com/UAEhQQLtib
— Tchad One (@TchadOne) January 17, 2024
Her negative comments on the African country have generated a firestorm of outcry among locals, who vehemently demanded her immediate expulsion.
“The contrast with Algeria is striking! Algerians should be grateful to have a country like Algeria. Our country should be situated on the map between Portugal and Spain.”
“If I were to show you the video I recorded last night at the train station, the lifestyle here is even worse than the Stone Age,” the Algerian fan, belittled the 2023 CAF-hosting country.
HONTEUX. Des algériens ?? méprisent un policier ivoirien ?? en jouant avec un ballon en plein sur la route.
Ils tentent de l’intimider, le filment à son insu et se moquent de lui. pic.twitter.com/bO1jgh5qFw
— Carl Johnson (@Crl_Johnson) January 17, 2024
The barrage of criticism she received after her shaming video has been huge, with many Ivorians feeling insulted by her comments and calling for authorities to take the necessary actions.
“This Algerian woman is denigrating Abidjan. Don’t let yourselves be insulted, expel her! It’s unbelievable,” said one Ivorian X user.
Another X user from Mali felt offended by the Algerian fan’s comments on the Ivory Coast and said, “How can we live with so much hatred and contempt? Unfortunately, some individuals bring shame to their people.
In contrast, many Ivorians expressed their contentment with the vlogs and stories shared by Moroccans and other visitors, who are currently in Cote d’Ivoire to support their teams during the 2023 CAF tournament.
Ivorians reposted the videos of visitors and thanked them for promoting their country well, showcasing respect and love to the locals.
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