Algeria ready to rekindle African hope

  1. Posted on Friday 18 June 2010 - 10:24
    Sanday
    Image of Sanday
    Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
    Algeria's "Desert Foxes" will this evening be the centre of African attraction at the ongoing 2010 FIFA World Cup when they take on determined England at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium. Algeria is among six African countries that are representing the continent at the World Cup hosted in Africa for the first time since its inception.
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    The North African stars will be banking at placing behind the disappointment they faced during their opening match against Slovenia in which they lost by a goal.

    As the match kicks-off this evening at 8.30 pm, football fanatics across Africa will be looking forward to a more inspiring and determined Algeria compared the performance exhibited during their opening encounter.

    A consecutive series of disappointing outcomes from two African ambassadors, host South Africa and Nigeria in the last two days piles more pressure on the Desert Foxes as they take on England.

    England will also be determined to win this evening’s match after they drew with USA due to goalie era, largely blamed on goalie Robert Green.

    Appearing rather as underdogs of the “African Six-pack” the Rabah Saadane tutored Desert Foxes will enter tonight’s match with a sole purpose of upsetting tables and rekindle the African hopefuls for reaching at least the second stage of the global showpiece.

    Coach Saadane told Algerian media, "England have their backs to the wall. We have nothing to lose and everything to win." With such confidence from the 64-year old coach, Algeria is set to upset tables in this evening’s Group C encounter.

    In solidifying his coach’s assurances, Nadir Belhadj, who plays for England’s Portsmouth told Algerian sports weekly Le Buteur, “The defence is one of England's weak points. It's easy to create chances against them."

    Scorer of the goal that took Desert Foxes 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, although back-up custodian Fawzi Chaouchi is now making serious claims on the gloves. Midfield is Algeria’s strength, meanwhile, with captain Yazid Mansouri spreading the ball around and forward-thinkers Karim Ziani and Mourad Meghni the most likely players to spark danger.

    Lastly, striker Karim Matmour has steadily been proving himself more than useful on the right wing.

    South Africa marks Algeria’s third appearance at FIFA World Cup finals, and they are looking to graduate from the group stage for the first time in their history, according to FIFA.

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