Mongomo (Equatorial Guinea), Jan 19 (IANS): South African football head coach Ephraim Mashaba courted controversy Monday by refusing to answer questions in any other language other than his native Zulu as a mark of protest against the treatment meted out to his country's journalists by Algeria.

Algeria earlier conducted a press conference in Arabic and French, leaving the English-speaking South African journalists helpless ahead of their country's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) match later Monday.

Algerian captain Madjid Bougherra, during the press meet, spoke in Arabic without a translator and the assembled journalists had difficulty deciphering what he said.

Taking a cue from them, Mashaba refused to speak in English and replied to questions only in Zulu.

"This is the Africa Cup of Nations and I speak the language I understand," Mashaba was quoted as saying by sport24.co.za Monday.

This sparked a mini demonstration from other journalists as the proceedings got out of hand, but he kept on speaking without paying much attention to the protests.