Morocco U20 striker Samir Bouhoudane has apologised to Algeria supporters after sharing an image on Instagram that was seen as mocking the national team following Morocco’s 3-1 victory in the UNAF U20 tournament.
The 18-year-old, who plays for Jong PSV, reposted an image created using artificial intelligence on his Instagram story after Wednesday’s match in Egypt.
The picture showed Bouhoudane holding a fennec by the neck, a clear reference to the nickname of the Algerian national team, the Fennecs. It had originally been posted by another account.
The image quickly drew criticism, particularly from Algerian supporters, amid the long-standing rivalry between the two countries. Some viewed the post as provocative and disrespectful towards Algeria’s young players.
Bouhoudane subsequently removed the post and issued an apology in another Instagram story.
“I would like to apologise to the Algerian supporters for my post. I did not know what I was sharing meant and I did not intend to disrespect anyone,” he wrote.
“I was simply happy about the victory. I am sorry if I offended anyone; that was really not my intention.”
The forward said he had shared the image in the immediate aftermath of Morocco’s win without understanding its significance.
The controversy followed a significant result for Morocco, who beat their North African neighbours 3-1 in their third match of the UNAF qualifying tournament for the next CAN U20.
The victory put Morocco in a strong position in the race to qualify, while Algeria’s defeat left their hopes in a much more difficult position.
The young Fennecs must respond in their final match against hosts Egypt if they are to maintain their qualification hopes.
The match itself had already carried the intensity associated with meetings between Morocco and Algeria. The reaction to Bouhoudane’s post added a further chapter away from the pitch, as the derby continued on social media after the final whistle.
