Ziani: “They hit us, insulted us but we will beat them… Long Live Algeria”

Immediately after the attack on the Algerian delegation’s bus by overexcited Egyptian fans, Echourok has called the midfielder Karim Ziani to have further details on the tragic event. The player has declared that this event has given more strength to the Algerian players who are determined to defeat the Egyptians at home.

• Q: First of all, Thanks God for your safety and the other players as well;
• A: Thank you, even if I’m OK after the savage attack, some of my team mates are bleeding at the moment where I’m talking ( the interview was made two hours after the arrival at the hotel Aprotel).
• Q: Everybody is worried and they are wondering what happened in the bus?
• A: Frankly speaking, I cannot explain this savage act; Even though we were warmly received by officials at the airport, the number of security men who were assigned the task to escort us to the hotel was not sufficient.
• Q: Can you give us your version of facts?
• A: After two kilometres, the bus has reduced its speed because of dangerous bend, soon after we were surprised by scores of fans on the road side who threw stones in our direction; but instead of intervening to protect us, the security officers were rather protecting themselves.
• Q: Did the stones hit the players?
• A: Hundreds of stones targeted the bus and shattered the windows forcing us to lie aground all along the distance that separated us from our hotel.
• Q: Is that true that some players were seriously injured?
• A: Of course, for instance Khaled Lemouchia, Rafik Halliche, and the goalkeepers’ coach Hassen Belhadji were seriously hit on the head. This later was transported to hospital to receive treatment.
• Q: Some  say that other players were touched?
• A: Indeed, Rafik Saifi, Mansouri and Chaouchi were injured in different places, but thanks God the injuries are not serious. Djamel Abdoun could have been seriously hit if not my intervention at the last moment and put him away from a window that was completely destroyed by a stone that weighs several kilograms.
• Q: How did the driver behave among these crazy fans?
• A: We have asked him to drive non stop until the arrival to the hotel because some fans were continuing their assault.
• Q: The driver has declared to some satellite channels that you have destroyed the windows?
• A: ( He laughs)… I cannot comment a liar’s declarations, may be he was under pressure when he said that because he an Egyptian after all.