Algeria
Algeria are the outsiders in Group C for 2010 and they achieved World Cup qualification in a sudden death play-off with bitter rivals Egypt to the delight of the whole country. They will be out to cause a shock or two in South Africa and they do have some top players who are plying their trade in Europe so are not without a chance.
There are a few names that European fans will recognize but on the whole the team will feature unknowns with several of them playing in the Algerian league, they should struggle against the other three teams as on paper they are the weakest link within the group. This will be the third time that Algeria have played in a World Cup having also qualified in 1982 and 1986, on each of those occasions they went out in the first round and that is something they will be trying to avoid in South Africa
In the African Cup of Nations this year they showed inconsistent form throughout which saw them lose 3-0 to minnows Malawi before qualifying from the group and beating tournament favourites the Ivory Coast to make the Semi-Finals. That win will give them confidence in the World Cup and if they can replicate that spirit then they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Algeria Key Players
- Majid Bougherra - Rangers
- Nadir Belhadj - Portsmouth
- Hassan Yebda - Portsmouth
- Kamel Ghilas - Hull City
