Goalkeeper of the Chelsea reserve and only 18 years old, Sami Tlemcani has just taken a controversial decision in this period of diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Algeria.
Born in France to an Algerian father and a Moroccan mother, the porter who passed through Créteil and Paris FC had indeed decided in 2021 to opt for Morocco and the coach at the time, Vahid Halilhodzic, had rewarded him by offering him a surprise call in October 2021 against Guinea (without entering the game). The following year, the native of Saint-Maurice then celebrated his first cape with the Moroccan U20s.
However, his father never closed the door to Algeria and, suddenly, Tlemcani has officially reconsidered his decision and now wishes to represent Algeria! The Fennecs have already started the process to change his sporting nationality. The young man justified his reversal on instagram.
“Just a sports decision»
“I allow myself to write this message in order to clarify certain points and hoping that my intentions are not misinterpreted. I fully understand that my choice may have been misunderstood or as a provocation for some. This is why I would like to apologize to anyone who felt offended or hurt. Far be it from me“, first clarified the last bastion.
Chelsea U21 goalkeeper and new Algerian international 🇩🇿 Sami Tlemcani, wanted to explain and clarify his change of sporting nationality. pic.twitter.com/fWLHe3lrMG
— The Green Wave ⭐️🇩🇿⭐️ (@la_vagueverte) March 2, 2023
“I just made a sporting decision. I would also like to thank all the structures through which I have passed, which trained me and allowed me to be where I am today. My sporting decisions will never affect the love I have for my father’s country as well as my mother’s. thank you for your understanding“, concluded in a desire to appease Tlemcani who should, if all goes as planned, make his debut with the Algeria U23 selection at the end of March against Ghana in the last round of the CAN U23 qualifiers.
