Algeria will end a 24-year absence from football’s top table when they kick their first ball at the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
The Desert Foxes may have won the African Cup of Nations since appearing at Mexico 1986, but they spent a long time in the wilderness before slowly working their way back as a competitive force at the start of the century.
The road to South Africa
Until finally sealing their place via a one-off play-off match with Egypt, Algeria both suffered and impressed in their qualifying campaign. They won all six of their home games in the second and third qualifying rounds but lost three of their away visits, while drawing twice and winning the sixth game.
As a result, they finished one slender point ahead of Gambia, Senegal and Liberia in their first qualifying group, before ending on equal terms with the Pharaohs in their second, and bringing about the need for a play-off on neutral terrain.
Star players
Scorer of the goal that took Les Fennecs through to South Africa, Antar Yahia is one of the pillars at the back for his team — a status he shares with Madjid Bougherra, Nadir Belhadj and goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui. Midfield is Algeria’s strength, with captain Yazid Mansouri spreading the ball around and forward-thinkers Karim Ziani and Mourad Meghni the most likely players to spark danger.
The coach
Following a modest playing career in his homeland and briefly in France, Rabah Saadane tried his hand at coaching. He soon found employment with the national association, first taking charge of various youth teams. In 1982, he was part of the coaching staff as Algeria disputed the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain.
Four years later, he took over the reins of the national side but paid the price for poor results at the global showcase. He took up the post again for a short while in 1999; again from 2003 to 2004 and began his current stint in 2007.
Facts
- This will be Algeria’s third appearance at a Soccer World Cup, and they will be looking to graduate from the group stage for the first time in their history.