Mahmoud Guendouz: Palestinians will “feel like home” in Algeria

Algeria’s former team captain Mahmoud Guendouz described a match due to be played by the Algerian and Palestinian Olympic teams on February 17th as a “real party.” “Palestinian players will feel that they are in Ramallah,” he told Echorouk in an interview.

Guendouz said Algerians will be the first who will cheer for two teams in the same game even if it was a friendship match. “I am sure that Algerians who will invade the July 5 Stadium will cheer for the Algerian and Palestinian teams at the same time.”

“This will turn the match into a big party either in bleachers or on the pitch,” he added.

He believes that this symbolic and historic game will help the Algerian Olympic team a lot as part of preparations for the Olympic Games in Brazil.

Love between Algerians and Palestinians is spontaneous and not hypocrite

Speaking about his short experience in Palestine as he was a coach for a local club there, Guendouz said love between Algerian and Palestinian people is real and spontaneous.

“Every home in Palestine has an Algerian flag. On the eve of any match played by Algeria, they show the flag and cheer for the team,” he added.

I will attend the game

Speaking about his meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador to Algiers Louai Aissa, Guendouz said it was part of his mission as the Ambassador of Palestine’s Amaari Youth team.

“After my return from Ramallah, I was in charge of working with the team as a volunteer and a sportive ambassador abroad. I accepted without hesitation. Because of that, I directly went to the Palestinian Embassy’s headquarters in Algeria. I got a hearty welcome. I introduced myself as the Ambassador of a team in Palestine. Since then, I have a direct contact with them,” he added.

“I received an invitation to attend the match and will do my best to be there.”