Algerian international footballer Sofiane Feghouli has revealed that his social media following saw a significant surge, gaining hundreds of thousands of new followers, immediately after Morocco’s unexpected elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Feghouli, speaking on the “Numéro 12” podcast, stated that the influx of followers came primarily from Algerian fans. “After Morocco’s loss, my account gained 300,000 to 400,000 new followers in one night, pushing it to one million,” the 34-year-old winger disclosed. He interpreted this as a clear expression of rivalry, noting, “This shows you the extent of the complex our Algerian brothers have regarding Morocco.”
The incident followed Morocco’s shocking 2-0 defeat to South Africa in the AFCON round of 16 on January 30th. Feghouli suggested the celebratory reaction from some Algerian supporters stemmed from the historic football rivalry between the two North African nations.
Feghouli, who currently plays for Turkish club Fatih Karagümrük, has had a storied career including spells at Granada, Valencia, and West Ham United. He represented Algeria at multiple major tournaments before retiring from international duty in 2022.
The player’s comments highlight the intense and often passionate sporting dynamic between Algeria and Morocco, which transcends the pitch and plays out vividly on social media platforms.
