KANSAS CITY (special envoy).- The varied experiences that Antoine de Saint-Exupéry had helped him create his most universal novel. Travels as a pilot through the Sahara helped him create everything that surrounded the Little Prince’s universe. Among them, the character of the fox, who represents friendship but also those wild animals that live in the desert.
“Les Fennecs”, which in French means desert fox, is the nickname given to the team from Algeria, a country where Saint-Exupéry served as a pilot in a French squadron during the last years of the Second War, shortly after handing over the manuscript of his novel that became immortal.
This Tuesday the Algerian team will seek to make history in its presentation against the world champions. After two consecutive absences from World Cup events, the North African team is excited about making a hit in Messi’s debut against Argentina.
The presence of several footballers, a coach with European experience and the precedent of Saudi Arabia’s victory over the national team in the first match of the last World Cup are arguments that make them believe big.
The “greens”, as the team that represents the country that lived through a long and bloody fight for independence from France last century is also known, have two fond World Cup memories against a power.
In the 1982 World Cup in Spain they surprised by defeating Rummenigge’s West Germany 2-1 in the opening match. A shameful pact between the Germans and Austria on the last date, which accommodated the result that best suited them because they played later, left Algeria out. The scandal was so big that it forced FIFA to modify the regulations: it was established that the decisive matches of the group stage be played simultaneously to avoid speculation.
In Brazil 2014, the Algerians forced Germany—which later defeated Argentina in the final—to go to overtime in the round of 16 to decide the match.
A renewed generation
The “desert foxes” arrive with high spirits, after the victories they obtained in the two friendlies prior to the World Cup: 1-0 against the Netherlands in Rotterdam and the 4-0 win against Bolivia in Kansas.
In a recent interview with Sky News Arabiathe legend of national football Rabah Madjerchampion of the Champions League with Porto, advised keeping our feet on the ground and warned the players and fans to “remain humble to avoid unpleasant surprises.”
Under the tactical order of the Bosnian coach Vladimir Petkovicwho led the Swiss national team and Lazio in Italy, the “greens” stand out for their defensive strength and pressure on all lines.
Its greatest figure is the veteran Riyad Mahrezwho played for Manchester City and Leicester in England, and now plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. The goalkeeper is the son of Zinedine Zidane, Lukewho plays for Spanish club Granada. Defenders also stand out Rayan Aït-Nouriefrom Manchester City, and Ramy Bensebainiof the German Borussia Dortmund.
The midfield is made up of European football figures such as Bennacer (Milan), Maza (Bayer Leverkusen) and Fares Chaibi (Eintracht Frankfurt). The Argentine defense will have to worry about the forwards Amoura (Wolfsburg) and Benrahma (Lyon).
Life in Lawrence
With 24 hours to go before the game, there are almost no green jerseys to be seen on the streets of downtown Kansas City. The Argentines are expected to begin arriving from this Monday. According to the authorities, there will be some 30,000 fans of the national team at Arrowhead Stadium, which has a capacity of 70,000 spectators.
The Algerians will be fewer, but they will make themselves felt. Mounir Ouasseleditor-in-chief of the Algerian sports newspaper Competition, tells THE NATION that the fans of his country are very similar to the Argentineans in terms of passion. And that his country’s team has a chance of getting a draw from the world champions, despite having Lionel Messi.
The African country has a significant community of expatriates spread between the United States and Canada, who will travel to this city in the North American Midwest. For those who live in Algeria, it is very complicated to get to the United States, not only because of the economic situation, but especially because of visas.
When the match starts, millions of Algerians will be watching TV from 2 in the morning. On the other side of the ocean, the inhabitants of the area surrounding the university city of Lawrenceone hour from downtown Kansas City, will also push for “the desert foxes.”
This is where the training base of the Algerians stands, who in recent days conquered the neighbors. Last week, the players visited the University of Kansas, where they kicked goals, threw footballs at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and even shot hoops at Allen Fieldhouse.
In one of the open practices, local people filled Rock Chalk Park to watch the Algerian players play “soccer-volley” after the win against Bolivia behind closed doors.
