CAN 2025: Maghnes Akliouche roars with Algeria, even in blue

24.12.25 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria

3

:

Sudan

0

Maghnes Akliouche never expected to be at the center of attention. Yet, with the camera fixed on him, he can be seen leaping onto his bar table just two minutes in as Mahrez opens the scoring for Algeria. “No doubt about it, it’s in the blood,” quips one of his friends in the now-viral video. The Monaco midfielder, a French international, simply owns it afterwards:

“When Algeria scores, I shout. It’s a family thing, I won’t hide it.”

The buzz exploded just as the Fennecs were already steamrolling Sudan. Three goals, an opponent down to ten men, and Ibrahim Maza coming off the bench to add his own: 3-0, Petkovic smiles, and the critics fall silent. Between the two images—Akliouche erupting with joy and a team unfazed—the debate reignites: does choosing France mean turning your back on your roots?

Read also: Manchester City – Algeria: Rayan Cherki backs Mahrez

The answer from the quiet one: passion can’t be bought, it bursts forth when it wants. While the Fennecs lay their first stone on the road to qualification, the Franco-Algerian continues his preparations with Les Bleus—mind elsewhere, heart beating two rhythms.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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Algeria

Sudan

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations