Algeria have shown the whole world how degenerate, unprofessional and inept they are on the pitch while facing African champions Egypt in the Nations Cup semis. There is no love lost between the Algerians and the Egyptians, but the so-called Desert Foxes were too witless to let their angry feelings take over. The Pharaohs evidently outclassed their North African neighbors, who couldn't create a single scoring chance throughout the eventful 90 minutes. When Algeria failed to keep up with their opponents' onslaught, they lost control and tried to take their frustration out on the Egyptian players in an unjustifiable malicious manner. Nadir Belhadj performed a sort of a karate move in the form of a tackle with an obvious intention to cause maximum damage to Ahmed Al-Muhammadi's ankle. Indeed he felled the Egyptian winger, who exhausted the Algerians with his tireless runs, only to receive a straight red card. Thanks to his clumsiness, Belhadj failed to injure the ENPPI star. Faouzi Chaouchi's aggressiveness was also flagrant.
Egypt set an example of sportsmanship and didn't stoop to Algeria's down-and-dirty tricks. For no apparent reason he nearly head-butted Coffi Codjia in the face after Hosni Abd-Rabou converted a spot kick. The Beninese referee didn't dismiss him though. But the fringe goalie, who conceded three goals out of four, viciously kicked Geddo's thigh afterwards to leave no doubt that he needs to take a sort of an anger management course. Again, Chaouchi saw red and Geddo was intact. The match was full of ultra-violence against Egypt, who set an example of sportsmanship and didn't stoop to their opposition's down-and-dirty tricks. After succumbing to a 4-0 loss, Algeria staggeringly blamed their defeat on Codjia for sending off three of them, and accused the 44-year-old ref of being biased. I wonder whether they are too inexperienced to realize how horrible their infringements were or they just can't find a better excuse to spare their blushes. The fact that such a team have secured a World Cup berth at Egypt's expense proves right the notion that football is all about surprises.
