The Road to South Africa

It was difficult to begin with and became progressively harder. Algeria were not seeded in the first group stage but qualified ahead of Senegal and Gambia by a single point. The second group stage pitched them in with Egypt, the great powerhouse of African football. The two teams finished level on points, goal difference and head-to-head records, triggering a play-off in Khartoum that Algeria won 1-0 amid scenes of incredible tension. “It is divine justice after everything we have been through,” said striker Rafik Saifi and few would disagree.

The Star Players

Antar Yahia (Bochum) In nearly 200 club appearances mainly for Bastia and Bochum, Yahia had managed fewer than 10 goals which made his winner in the Khartoum play-off all the sweeter for the French born defender.

Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth) A team-mate of Yahia's in French youth sides, Belhadj struggled to make the grade in French football but shone once Lens loaned him out to Portsmouth. His dismissal in the Africa Cup of Nations means he is suspended for Algeria's first two fixtures.

Faouzi Chaouchi (ES Setif) But for Algeria's first-choice keeper, Lounes Gaouaoui, suffering from appendicitis, Chaouchi would have little to look forward to. But his heroic performance in the play-off victory in Khartoum means he would be hard to ignore.

The Coach

Rabah Saadane Nobody knows more about Algerian football than this man. He was assistant manager when they were allegedly cheated out of the 1982 World Cup by what became known as the Anschluss game between West Germany and Austria and managed them in Mexico four years later. His achievement in taking them to South Africa has reinforced Saadane's status and a semi-final in this year's Africa Cup of Nations was no mean achievement either.

Honours

World Cup: Group Stages 1982, 1986
Africa Cup of Nations: Winners 1990

Analysis

Saadane summed up Algeria's World Cup perfectly when he commented: “The objective for our young players was to reach the World Cup in the first place. Now that they have achieved that, there is no pressure on them whatsoever. Our aim is to enjoy ourselves against the best teams in the world.” This they will do, whether they actually get any points is another matter but after all Algeria have been through, it is good to see them here.

Verdict

Squad (2/5)
Largely dependent on players with Algerian backgrounds who did not quite make the grade in French football it lacks real quality.

Coach (5/5)
Rabah Saadane's place in Algerian football is absolutely secure and barring an absolute humiliation in South Africa, nothing will undermine that.

Attack (2/5)
It is young but lightweight and perhaps significantly Algeria struggled away from home throughout their qualification campaign.

Defence (3/5)
Strong and ruggedly effective. This is a side that knows how to defend and in Khartoum they played as if their lives depended on keeping a clean sheet.