Khaled Lemouchia to Echorouk: “Saadane told me the doors of Algeria’s team are still open for youâ€
Algeria’s team and ESSetif midfielder Khaled Lemouchia discloses many things that remain mysterious since his departure from the Algerian team in Angola.
- Lemouchia spoke about what happened between him and coach Saadane and hard times he passed after counting him out of the national team.
- There is a lot of talk about your return to the national team’s line-up before World Cup South Africa. Did you receive guarantees by coach Saadane?
- I did not receive guarantees from coach Saadane, however; I think he will choose me among the list of players to participate in the World Cup 2010.
- Your relationship with Rabah Saddane is bad. Do you deny this?
- I must clarify things that have never been written before in Algerian newspapers. Immediately after the end of Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, I called Rabah Saadane and gave him a formal apology for what happened before the match against Mali, and before apology things return to normal.
- What did Saadane tell you in Libya?
- I met him in Libya and resumed my apology and he accepted it, he told me “Algeria’s team’s doors are still open for you and you must continue efforts if you really wish to return before the World Cup”.
- Perhaps he said this in order to give you some hope, as some people close to him assert he will not forgive your insults.
- It is strange what some newspapers wrote after I left the Greens’ training in Angola. I recognise that I was stupid when I spoke to him with such a sharp tone, however; I never insulted him because this is not of my nature.
- Since you joined Algeria’s team, you never showed a bad behaviour. What happened in Angola?
- I’ve been through a hard period in Angola, as I did not like staying in the reserve line because I wanted to play and help my team-mates, but I think I made a mistake because of high pressure on me at that time, thus causing a negative impact on my actions. I can confirm that I would not repeat such behaviours in the future.
- Some people say that your disagreement with Saadane is the cause behind your bad reactions. Is it true?
- Ha-ha-ha… Saadane is the coach who brought me back to the basic squad of ESSetif after I remained in reserve for long time and I cannot forget his virtues on the club.
- Saadane said he would reveal on the list of players to train in Switzerland on May 4. What would be your reaction if he will not choose you?
- Frankly, I cannot imagine this, as I was among the few players who did a good performance during the playoffs. I sacrificed Algeria with my blood in Cairo and if I would not participate in the World Cup, I will be very sad.
- You said you lived hard times after you left Algeria’s team. Who stood by you?
- I thank officials of ES Setif who stood by me in hard times. After leaving Algeria’s team I identified true friends and enemies who were lurking me.
- You also said you‘d not play in Algeria next season. Does this mean you agreed formally with Montpelier French officials which you were about to join during the last winter transfers?
- I think it is time to leave the Algerian championship, especially since Montpelier club officials always wish to sign me in their club, however; I did not yet decide, particularly since I received other offers by Gulf and European teams.
- You were excited to join Montpelier club but this did not happen, why?
- I wanted to leave during winter transfers in order to unable ES Setif club to benefit from the transfer amount since my contract expires at the end of this season, however; my participation in the Africa Cup obliged the French team to postpone negotiations.
- Could you tell us about the clubs whishing to sign you?
- There are three Saudis clubs “Al Ahli, Annasr, and Al Ittihad”, as well as French and other Spanish club that I cannot reveal because negotiations are not yet formal.
- You will face Chabab Batna in the cup final. Do you think ES Setif is able to win Cup for the seventh time?
- With ES Setif I won two Arab Cups, a North Africa Cup and two championships. I think ES Setif is able to win the seventh Cup of its history.