Mokhtar Arribi (Arabic: مختار عريبي), born on February 24, 1924, in Sétif and died on September 4, 1989, in the same city, is one of the most prominent figures in Algerian football, as a player, coach, and symbol of the national struggle.
A striker by training, he began his career with MC Alger between 1944 and 1946, then continued with FC Sète from 1946 to 1951. He then played for AS Cannes in 1951-1952, returned to FC Sète from 1953 to 1954, and then joined RC Lens in 1954-1955 before finishing his playing career with CS Hammam Lif from 1955 to 1957 and with Avignon in 1957-1958.
In 1958, alongside Mohamed Boumezrag, he helped found the FLN team, a clandestine squad created to amplify the voice of the Algerian War of Independence throughout the world and give a sporting dimension to the national cause. Composed primarily of professional players from mainland France, Arribi played a central role, first as a player and then as the team's coach between 1958 and 1961. French authorities successfully lobbied FIFA to deny the team's recognition, and FIFA threatened sanctions against those who opposed it. Despite this ban, the "Independence Team" played over 80 matches, primarily in the Arab world, but also in Vietnam, Yugoslavia, China, and Romania.
After his playing career, he established himself as a coach. He notably managed CS Hammam Lif, Avignon, the FLN team, ES Sétif on several occasions, CS Sfax, Libya, and then the Algerian national team in 1985. His most significant period remains his time at ES Sétif, with whom he won several major titles. His coaching record with ES Sétif is particularly impressive: Algerian Championship 1967-1968, Algerian Cup 1967-1968, Algerian Cup 1979-1980, Algerian Championship 1986-1987, then the African Cup of Champions Clubs 1988 and the Afro-Asian Cup 1988-1989.
Mokhtar Arribi passed away in Sétif on September 4, 1989, at the age of 65. He therefore remains a key player in Maghreb and Algerian football, through his playing career in France and Tunisia, his involvement in the FLN, and his influence as a coach over several generations, a lasting reference in Algerian national football.
