In the heart of the city of Sidi Bel Abbès, which has long resonated with chants in his name, the story of former football star Hamidou Hirshe, known by the nickname "Sitika," transformed from a football tale adorned with skill to a sad human saga that shook the hearts of Algerians in October 2026.
Hirshe was once a household name; a mesmerizing artist in the shirt of Union Bel Abbès, the ball would yield to his exceptional skills on the green grass. However, the paths of life concealed a harsh scenario for him, leading to psychological isolation that ended with him being homeless on the streets.
The shock of silence and the sidewalk
In a heartbreaking scene, videos spread in mid-October 2026 documenting the tragic state of this former star's life; he was seen lying on the ground in one of the streets of Sidi Bel Abbès, wearing dirty clothes.
Those shocking images sparked an overwhelming wave of sadness and outrage on social media, as followers questioned the fate of stars who dedicated the finest years of their lives to national sports.
A mental illness caused the tragedy
The career of football talent Hamidou Hirshe came to an end far from the podiums of victory; his illustrious career of achievements was condensed into just 7 years, before illness struck him and stopped him from running on the fields when he was only 22 years old.
Instead of continuing his sports journey, Hirshe found himself wandering the streets battling a neurological and psychological illness for nearly 3 decades, amidst complete silence and total neglect from the sports community.
Hirshe's current situation is tied to a health and psychological condition that requires medical follow-up and care, as data indicates that he leaves his family's home despite repeated attempts by family members to keep him inside, finding himself sometimes on the street.
The player's tragedy did not stop at his personal suffering; it extended to a daily nightmare endured by his family, who often stand helpless in the face of the complexities of his mental illness; they continue their ongoing and desperate attempts to rescue him from homelessness in the neighborhood alleys and return him to the warmth of a dignified life.
A popular initiative and official response
In light of this moving scene, activists and local organizations rushed to launch solidarity initiatives to collect donations and restore dignity to "Sitika."
Amidst the wide public interaction, the relevant authorities intervened to urgently take care of his health and psychological state and rescue him from homelessness on the streets, opening the humanitarian file on the necessity of protecting and caring for former players so that the case of "Sitika" does not recur.
In a noble humanitarian gesture, the "Radioz Association" paid a solidarity visit to check on the health condition of player Hamidou Hirshe, who is currently in the mental health hospital in Sidi Bel Abbès, accompanied by his brother Abbas and players Ridouane Hafaf and Tayeb Fousi.
During this solidarity initiative, the association provided assistance to the family, along with offering some necessities that Hamidou needs, expressing a spirit of solidarity and loyalty, and appreciating what he has contributed to the world of football.