Algeria’s World Cup Qualifier Against Burkina Faso Set for Marrakech Despite Diplomatic Tensions

"Many things have been said, but what needs to be known is that we had a slight problem during the first trip due to the health pass that we did not have, and then afterwards, even the Moroccan federation facilitated things for us. We were very well received by the FRMF and by the Moroccans in general," said Amine Labdi in an interview with FAF TV, thus trying to cut short the persistent rumors about the ban on entering Moroccan soil.

"We went to Morocco to visit the national team’s place of residence as well as everything related to putting the team in the best conditions. [...] Everything is ready, whether in terms of catering, transportation... And even if we had not moved, everything was ready to welcome the national team. We had made all the arrangements since we had booked remotely, just like for transportation and many other things. When we went there, we just found that everything was settled for the team’s stay," he specified.

The Fennecs will be in Morocco on September 6th. "We will play the first match on September 2nd (Algeria-Djibouti in Blida, editor’s note). From that date to September 6th, we will remain in Sidi Moussa (in Algiers). Morocco is just next door. The climatic conditions are the same as ours. So it is not necessary to go 48 or 72 hours before the match," explained the national coach, specifying that his protégés will return to Algiers on September 8th.