2010 World Cup was 'most difficult' of my career, says commentator Issam Chaouali

Tunisian sports commentator Issam Chaouali has reflected on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, labeling it as one of the most challenging and impactful experiences of his broadcasting career. He described a journey filled with tension, emotion, and shock, from the qualifying matches to the tournament's final whistle.

Chaouali recalled his initial assignment with Al Jazeera Sports in 2009, noting the particular context of South Africa, which was perceived at the time as a country with significant security risks, despite the powerful symbolism of Nelson Mandela. He vividly remembered Tunisia's World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Chaouali recounted losing his voice in a moment of intense emotion after Oussama Darraji scored, exclaiming, "By God, even if voices crack, no voice rises above that of the Eagles." He believed qualification was nearly secured after this match.

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By God, even if voices crack, no voice rises above that of the Eagles.

However, this optimism was shattered by a subsequent, emotionally devastating defeat against Mozambique. Chaouali described this episode as extremely difficult, leading him to collapse and turn off his phone. He also touched upon his time with the Tunisian Olympic team in Ramallah, where he felt warmly welcomed, before being asked to commentate on the Algeria-Sudan match. This game, he noted, was surrounded by media tensions and attempts at manipulation through false information, which he felt negatively impacted his reputation in certain contexts.

Expressing disappointment, Chaouali lamented Egypt's absence from the 2010 World Cup, considering it a missed opportunity given the strength of their squad, which included players like Mohamed Aboutrika. He noted that only Algeria represented the Arab nations in that tournament, and he had commentated on their match against the United States. Chaouali concluded by mentioning the final between Spain and the Netherlands, ultimately won by Spain, reiterating that the 2010 World Cup remains one of the richest tournaments in terms of emotions, human stories, and memorable moments throughout his career.

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he described this episode as very difficult emotionally, going so far as to say that he collapsed and turned off his phone.