The woman made the complaint in December after discovering that Belhadj had married another woman at the French embassy in Qatar in June last year, according to prosecutor Virginie Deneux, confirming a story that had appeared in Le Progres regional daily.

The woman, who is Algerian and lives in the Jura region in eastern France, told investigators that she married Belhadj in 2009 in Oran, Algeria and gave birth to his child in June 2011.

According to her, Belhadj had opened divorce proceedings in Algeria but they were yet to reach a conclusion.

"We're right at the start of the inquiry and the investigations," Deneux told AFP.

"The complainant has made statements and provided us with documents. The police investigators must now confirm that they are accurate.

"Bigamy is rarely treated in the criminal courts. In general, it tends to go to the civil courts."

If investigators conclude that bigamy has taken place, prosecutors may ask for Belhadj's second marriage to be annulled.

Belhadj, 29, is a France-born Algerian international and currently plays for Qatari side Al-Sadd, with whom he won the Asian Champions League in November.

"We have decided to bring this matter up publicly because there are eight former Algerian internationals whose children are handicapped," former defender Mohamed Chaib told AFP on Wednesday.

"We have serious doubts over the effects of medication that we were given during training camps. We just want the truth," added Chaib, who is the father of three disabled girls.

"Nobody has dared to bring up this subject before. People have chosen to forget about what happened but we have been suffering for more than two decades now," Mohamed Kaci Said, a former midfielder, was quoted as saying in the Sunday edition of the newspaper El Watan.

The players all represented Algeria in the 1980s.

The 58-year-old Bosnian enjoyed some success as a club coach in France, leading Lille to third place in Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League qualification in 2001 before moving on to Rennes and Paris St Germain, where he won the Coupe de France.

Halilhodzic has since coached in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Croatia and was coach of Cote d'Ivoire from 2008 to 2010. He lost his job with the Elephants after they were dumped out of the African Nations Cup by Algeria, with Sven-Goran Eriksson ultimately leading them into the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

A statement on the Algerian federation's official website read: "The Algerian Football Federation has hired Mr Vahid Halilhodzic as coach of Algeria's national team for three years from July 1, 2011.

"The objectives of the new national coach are to qualify for the 2013 African Nations Cup and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil."

Algeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup, where it held England to a goalless draw.

"Jurgen Klinsmann and Carlos Dunga are on the list of five coaches chosen by the FAF's candidature committee to succeed Abdelhak Benchikha at the head of the Algerian national side," said the source, quoted by the APS news agency on Tuesday.

The FAF committee reportedly whittled down the shortlist after receiving 43 applications for the job.

The source said further talks with the remaining candidates would be 'initiated shortly'.

Meanwhile, FAF president Mohamed Raouraoua firmly denied reports of an approach to the former France coach Raymond Domenech, in an interview in Tuesday's edition of the Algerian daily Liberte.

A statement from Domenech's advisors sent to AFP on Monday claimed he had been approached by the FAF but had not made an application for the post vacated by Benchikha.

Aside from Dunga and Klinsmann, Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic was also cited as one of the favourites to take over at the Algeria helm, according to APS.

Halilhodzic, a former coach of Cote d'Ivoire, is scheduled to meet Raouraoua in Paris on Friday.

The FAF launched a search for a new national coach on 8 June, after Benchikha stepped down in the aftermath of the 4-0 defeat by regional rival Morocco in an 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Marrakech.

Algeria, eliminated in the group phase at last year's World Cup in South Africa, is currently bottom of qualifying Group D after four matches.

Mehdi Benatia and Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh scored during the first half in Marrakech and Youssouf Hadji and Oussama Assaidi struck within nine minutes after the break to complete an unexpectedly one-sided triumph.

It was sweet revenge for Morocco under Belgian coach Eric Gerets after a 1-0 away loss to its North African neighbour in the qualifying competition three months ago.

Benchikha, who previously coached clubs in his homeland, Qatar, and Tunisia and the Algerian Olympic team, survived just three competitive matches after succeeding veteran Rabah Saadane in October last year.

Saadane quit after a 1-1 home draw with Tanzania in the opening 2012 Cup of Nations qualifier and Benchikha made a disastrous debut as the Desert Foxes crashed 2-0 away to minnow Central African Republic.

The home win over Morocco offered hope Algeria could mount a serious challenge for Group D honours, but the Marrakech mauling leaves it with little hope of reaching Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next year.

Morocco has seven points and Central African Republic, Tanzania and Algeria four each, with only the group winner guaranteed a place at the biennial 16-nation African football showcase.

Gerets has vowed to win titles for Morocco, whose only Cup of Nations title came 35 years ago in Ethiopia when just eight teams competed and a mini-league format was used throughout the competition for the only time.

"I won a lot of titles as a footballer and a coach and I want to win titles with the Moroccan team, too," the former Belgium international said after his appointment.

He won league titles with Lierse and Club Bruges in Belgium, PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Galatasaray in Turkey and also coached French outfit Marseille before moving to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.

Saifi struck out at Asma Halimi, a journalist with Algerian daily Competition, in an interview area in the wake of the match the Americans won 1-0.

Haili, who had written an article on Saifi some time before the incident, managed to get a slap of her own in before complaining to FIFA, world football's governing body.

Saadane, in his fifth spell as national team coach, led Algeria to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, where it finished bottom of its group despite drawing with England.

However, Algeria's qualification campaign for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations began with a 1-1 draw with Tanzania.

A statement on the Algeria football association's official website, www.faf.dz, read: "Mr Rabah Saadane on Saturday resigned from his post as coach of the national team.

"Mr Saadane's decision has been accepted by the president of the Algerian Football Federation (Mohamed Raouraoua), who thanked and paid tribute to his excellent work.

"Mr Rabah Saadane led the national team to the finals of the African Nations Cup and the World Cup in 2010."

Saadane has been at the helm since 2007 and steered Algeria to its first appearance at the FIFA World Cup in 24 years, where it slipped to narrow losses to the United States and Slovenia but managed to hold England to a draw.

It is Saadane's third spell in sole charge of the national team and, as well as being in command in 1986, he was also co-manager four years earlier when Algeria reached its first World Cup finals.

The 64-year-old's assistants Djelloul Zohir and Hacene Belahdji have also had their contracts extended until after the 2012 tournament, while the federation has confirmed it will look to reinforce the coaching staff with top-level bosses, including a general manager.

Of the six African teams, only Ghana progressed out of the group stage, eventually losing to Uruguay on a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals.

"We saw Ghana be the best, but the rest that came were not prepared. They were not ready. They performed poorly," Weah said. "We should go back to the drawing board to rectify the mistakes."

Weah, the former Liberia striker who won FIFA's World Player of the Year award in 1995, played for Paris St Germain, AC Milan and Chelsea during a glittering playing career. He never appeared at a World Cup.

After retiring from football, Weah moved into politics and launched an unsuccessful bid to become president of Liberia in the 2005 elections.

Speaking at an event to mark the fusion of FIFA's World Player of the Year award with Europe's Ballon d'Or, Weah said there was no doubting the raw ability of African players.

"We have the talent and desire, but if we don't encourage players there will be more setbacks," he said.

To highlight the poor administration of African football, Weah also recalled an occasion when he was travelling with the Liberian national team. He said the Liberian officials were seated in plush business class seats while the players travelled economy.

"The players should be the ones in business class because they are the ones who are going to play," Weah said. "That's wrong, that's bad for the game."

Weah also said it was time for African coaches to be given a chance at international level.

Rabah Saadane with Algeria was the only African coach at this year's World Cup. Ghana's coach was Serbian, South Africa had a Brazilian in charge, Cameroon employed a Frenchman, while Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria had Swedish coaches.

"They (African coaches) are not being given the confidence, they are not being encouraged," Weah said.

"The priority of African authorities is not to trust in junior coaches," Weah added, pointing out that Sellas Tetteh, who coached Ghana to the under-20 World Cup title last year, was not part of the senior national team's set-up.

Weah said African authorities lacked belief in local coaches.

"Instead, they pay somebody that doesn't have the mentality of the African players," he said.

Four of the six African countries involved are already out, with Cote d'Ivoire requiring a nine-goal swing on Portugal to make it through and only Ghana sure of a place in the last 16.

Sono blames the lack of preparation time for coaches, and the failure of some foreign bosses to fully understand and acclimatise to the culture in the countries they represent.

Sono, who coached South Africa at the 2002 World Cup, said: "It is a norm in Africa that local coaches are only good for the African Nations Cup and European coaches are good when it comes to the World Cup, which to me is diabolical and doesn't make sense.

"At this stage to change a coach is a bit dicey. Five weeks (before the tournament) is too short for a World Cup, especially if the coach is coming from Europe. He needs to spend more time in the country and understand the culture of the people. Five weeks doesn't give you enough time."

Sono was largely referring to the appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson as Cote d'Ivoire coach in late March, with the Swede only properly getting to spend time with the players at a pre-tournament camp in Switzerland last month.

But Nigeria also only confirmed Lars Lagerback as coach in February after ditching Shaibu Amodu after the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen was also criticised for opting to reside primarily in France.

Sono and Senegal-born France midfielder Patrick Vieira were in agreement that the way forward is for more African coaches to receive the right training, and both believe that Europeans coming in could play a part in this, as well as FIFA and the Confederation of African Football.

Manchester City man Vieira said: " I hope in the new generation we will have African coaches. I am sure there are African coaches who are qualified but they need someone to give them the chance.

"When you look at the African teams in the World Cup, you don't have (many) African managers.

"It is important that when European coaches come in, that in the staff they have African assistants because they will learn being next to European coaches.

"It is something that has to change because when you look at the export of players to Europe from Africa it is impressive but on the other side it is taking too long to give them chances (as coaches)."

Sono added: "If you bring a highly-experienced coach into Africa we must make sure he empowers our people. It doesn't make sense if a coach from Uruguay comes in with 10 people from Uruguay, because when he goes he leaves nothing behind.

"The rest (of the backroom staff) must be local people. It must not look like a minor issue. European coaches get a good education at UEFA and FIFA, and it is vital if a coach is appointed to coach Cameroon he must not live in France.

"He must be able to see local football, to understand the culture. We need good coaches in Africa who can add value into football."

Sono identified Ghana and Algeria as the two most impressive of the African competitors, and attributed that to their coaching continuity and to their concentration on a team ethic rather than a reliance on one or two big-name stars.

He said: "Algeria have surprised me. They played as a unit against England (to earn a 0-0 draw). Ghana don't have big-name players - what I call 'TV players'. It's a unit - they work for each other.

"It was unfortunate that Algeria got knocked out. Ivory Coast played well against Portugal and then gave it away (against Brazil).

"Africa can be too individual rather than collective. Being strong as a team is more important than relying on individuals - that's why I've been more impressed with Ghana and Algeria."

The Desert Foxes had an outside chance of reaching the last 16 of a World Cup for the first time in its history heading into their final Group C game against the United States in Pretoria.

However, Landon Donovan's stoppage-time goal condemned the Algerians to a 1-0 defeat and left it bottom of the pool with just one point to its credit from three matches.

There may not have been any fairytale ending for Algeria in its first appearance at the World Cup since 1986, but Saadane was able to take plenty of positives from its adventure in South Africa.

"The players, the technical staff and the federation have really given their utmost to take part in this tournament and I don't think we should hang our heads in shame," he said.

"In the three matches we've played the players have given their very best.

"This is the first time in 24 years that we've been at the World Cup and you shouldn't expect miracles. So I'm satisfied despite the negative results.

"We have learned a great deal, acquired a lot of experience, made a lot of progress. I think there is a very positive future for the national team if it continues along this road."

Saadane also has high hopes for African teams further down the line, even though they have not done too well in this competition.

"I think that African football is on the right road and, in particular, individual potential is very strong," he said.

"Now what we need in our national squads is stability and a lot of discipline. I think in a few years' time, African sides will be among the best teams in the world."

One area in which Saadane knows his side does need some major surgery is in the final third of the pitch.

Algeria failed to score a goal in this World Cup and has now netted just once in seven games stretching back to the Africa Cup of Nations.

He said: "I think we could have done better (against the USA). We shot from distance a great deal. We had a number of goalscoring chances and we should have done better.

"There was also a lot of pressure on the strikers and I think they missed a number of chances because of the pressure on them.

"I think the national team needs to find new players.

"We've found strong midfielders and defenders and now we need to find those rare birds that are top strikers.

"I think we need to work a great deal more to achieve greater stability. The strikers need greater cohesion. Those are a couple of factors we need to look at."

While walking through the mixed zone, where reporters can interview players behind a barrier, following Algeria's 1-0 defeat to the United States, Saifi was involved in a heated altercation with female journalist Asma Halimi, who works for Algerian newspaper Competition.

Both Saifi and Halimi appeared to be involved in a row, before a water bottle was thrown.

Halimi told Press Association Sport: "I'm going to make a complaint to FIFA, a complaint to the police in South Africa and in Algeria."

Halimi said that last year she had translated an interview Saifi had made from Arabic into French for her newspaper, although it was not an interview she had conducted herself.

Halimi spoke to FIFA officials following the incident.

FIFA and Algeria officials were not immediately available for comment.

Algeria lost the match 1-0 to the United States after conceding an injury-time goal and was knocked out of the World Cup.

With England en route to victory over Slovenia in the other Group C match, both the US and opponents Algeria looked to be heading out of the FIFA World Cup as its game in Pretoria entered stoppage time with the scoreline still 0-0.

However, Donovan popped up in the last few moments to slot home after the ball had rolled loose in the area when Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'Bohli dived at the feet of Clint Dempsey.

That match-winning strike not only saw the United States secure a place in the last 16 but it also earned it top spot in the pool ahead of England.

For an emotional Donovan, it meant even more.

"I've been through a lot in the last four years," the man of the match said as he broke down in tears during the post-game press conference. The Los Angeles Galaxy playmaker split up with his wife last July.

"I'm so glad it culminated in this way and it makes me believe in good in the world and when you try to do things the right way it's good to be rewarded."

Algeria exited the tournament without managing to score a goal in its three group games, although it had its chances and hit the crossbar early on through Rafik Djebbour.

It was not to be for the north African side, but its coach Rabah Saadane was still proud of his team.

"I think it was a really good match and the two teams have done well," he said. "We've seen many attempts on goal from both teams, and with a bit more luck I think we would have won the match.

"However, the Algerian team have worked very hard to get the right result in the second match and the last match. I'm quite happy with the team.

"They (the USA) had the last chance to score the goal and they got it. I want to congratulate the US team and wish them all the luck in the next stage."

However, Donovan popped up right at the end to slot into the net and send the Americans through ahead of England, which beat Slovenia in the other game.

USA will now play the second-placed team from Group D, which includes Ghana, Germany, Serbia and Australia.

For Algeria, which has never progressed to the second round of the World Cup, it hit the woodwork early on and created a couple of other chances but was unable to net its first goal of the finals as it tumbled out.

Algeria also finished with 10-men after captain Anthar Yahia was sent off for a second booking late on in Pretoria.

Coach Rabah Saadane, knowing his side could not afford a third successive match without a goal, made one change to the team that held England 0-0, bringing in AEK Athens striker Rafik Djebbour for Ryad Boudebouz.

USA boss Bob Bradley, meanwhile, made three changes. Algeria started brightly and almost took the lead in the sixth minute when Djebbour rattled the crossbar.

US defender Jay DeMerit failed to cut out a long punt forward and Djebbour stole in behind him, controlled the ball on his chest before smashing a volley against the crossbar from 12 yards out.

It was also a big let-off for the Americans, but Bradley's side would return the favour with interest during the remainder of the period as it spurned a number of good chances themselves.

Herculez Gomez brought a save out of Rais M'Bohli, before the US thought it had taken the lead in the 20th minute when Gomez, having seen his first effort saved, saw his cross-shot turned in at the far post by Clint Dempsey.

However, the effort was chalked off for a marginal offside.

The Americans were denied a winning goal in their last match against Slovenia when Maurice Edu's late strike was controversially chalked off.

After a slow start, the US was starting to look increasingly dangerous and it created two great chances around the 35th minute.

Dempsey saw the first saved by M'Bohli after being put through by a great pass by Donovan, and then Jozy Altidore blazed horribly over after the influential Donovan had dinked the ball past M'Bohli to set up a magnificent opening.

The Desert Foxes were still posing problems of their own though, and Karim Matmour earned a corner after testing Tim Howard with a long-range thunderbolt as the half ended in stalemate.

With England leading Slovenia in the other game, both USA and Algeria were on the way out of the World Cup at the interval.

The Americans should have improved their lot in the 56th minute though as they spurned another great chance.

The ball fell invitingly for Dempsey on the edge of the box, but his shot rebounded back off the inside of the far post before the Fulham midfielder sliced the rebound wide with the goal gaping.

Bradley's side continued to dominate and Benny Feilhaber went close before his fellow substitute Edson Buddle powered a header straight at M'Bohli from five yards out.

Algeria briefly stemmed the one-way traffic when Karim Ziani dragged a shot wide from a good chance in the 69th minute, but otherwise it was largely all America.

Algeria had a late chance to snatch what could have been a winner when Rafik Saifi headed straight at Howard, and moments after that USA claimed the victory.

Dempsey was denied by the keeper at point-blank range after a breakaway attack, but the ball fell kindly for Donovan who slotted into a gaping net from close range.

That proved to be the winner and demoralised Algeria would end the game with 10-men when Yahia was dismissed soon after.

The popularity of football in the US is on the rise but, unlike in many other countries around the globe, it is not the leading sport with traditional favourites baseball, American football and basketball providing stiff competition.

However, Bocanegra believes his side can strike another blow for the sport by securing the victory against Algeria that will guarantee them a place in the knockout stages in South Africa.

"Every time we have played in the World Cup, our games have contributed to the interest back home, and I think more and more we have people interested in the United States," he said.

"Over the last four years, since the 2006 World Cup, we have realised that football has become increasingly popular.

"It is not the top sport in the United States yet but it is the most popular sport around the world and I hope after the (Algeria) game we will have even more supporters in the US."

US coach Bob Bradley echoed those thoughts, adding: "Soccer in the US continues to grow, there have been so many important steps along the way.

"We understand that each World Cup takes on extra importance and we understand the responsibility we have as a team representing the United States and representing our sport."

The US missed out on a place in the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup after losing to Ghana in its final group game in what was a similar situation to the one they now find themselves in.

Now they are one of four teams in Group C who still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages heading into the third and final round of group matches.

Leaders Slovenia are on four points, two ahead of the US and England, and three clear of last-placed Algeria.

Algeria may be bottom of the standings and without a goal in their two games, but Bocanegra, who plays his club football for Rennes, is still wary of the threat the north Africans pose.

The defender said: "They're a good team, a few of their guys play in the French league, they're athletic and technically gifted.

"A few players can stand out and score goals for them, but we are going to focus on the entire team and not any one player."

The US is not the only side feeling the weight of responsibility heading into the clash at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld stadium.

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane said: "We have a great deal of responsibility. As it is we represent the African continent, the hopes of the African continent, and we also represent the Arab world."

Saadane was responding to a question as to whether he felt Algeria were also now representing the hopes of France following Les Bleus disappointing early exit from the tournament on Tuesday.

Saadane, whose squad has many French-born players in it, hoped that would not be the case, joking: "We don't want this additional responsibility.

"It is unfortunate for France, there are strong links between the two countries."

In a similar situation to one it currently faces, the US had the chance to make it through to the last 16 four years ago if it beats Ghana in its final group game.

However, having held eventual winners Italy to a 1-1 draw in its previous match, the Americans slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Ghana to exit the competition.

This time the US knows a win over Algeria will guarantee it a spot in the knockout phases no matter what happens in the other game between Slovenia and England, and Bocanegra is determined not to let the opportunity slip by again.

"We obviously we had a bad outing in 2006 and we're not happy how things worked out. We have a great chance tomorrow to get a win and advance to the second round, it's important for us because we had that disappointment in 2006," he said.

"It's not really an extra motivation but it's in the back of our minds. You work so hard and train so much for the World Cup and it can be over so quickly if you don't advance."

The United States has had more successful recent experiences to draw on, though, and Bocanegra is hoping what happened at last last year's Confederations Cup in South Africa will stand it in good stead for the nail-biting last round of group matches.

The United Stats is currently second in Group C heading into the clash against Algeria in Pretoria, but as there are just three points separating all four teams there is still everything to play for.

However, with first-placed Slovenia playing third-placed England in the other match, the United States at least knows it has its destiny in its own hands.

That is a better situation than it found itself in the Confederations Cup when, after losing to Italy and Brazil in its opening two group games, it not only needed to defeat Egypt in its last match but also required a Brazil victory and a six-goal swing over Italy to advance.

That is just what happened, with the US beating Egypt 3-0 and Brazil defeating Italy by the same scoreline, sending Bradley's men through to the semi-finals where it created one of the biggest upsets in recent history by defeating European champion Spain 2-0.

Bocanegra said: "We've had some good experiences. Last year's Confederations Cup was a nice dress rehearsal and we were in this situation a little bit, having to get the win, although last time we needed a little help.

"This time we just need to win. We've been here before, we're prepared and we're looking forward to going out there tomorrow (Thursday morning AEST)."

The former Marseille, AC Milan and Chelsea defender was an integral part of France's triumph in 1998 and has been a keen advocate of African football due to his Ghanaian roots.

However, Desailly admits he has been underwhelmed by the displays put in by the continent's teams during the first World Cup to grace African soil.

"Overall I am a little disappointed with the African teams performances but maybe my expectations were too high," he said from South Africa.

"I'm especially disappointed with Cameroon. Nigeria have been a bit naive and Algeria made too many mistakes defensively even though they drew with England.

"I feel that Ghana didn't take the opportunities that were put in front of them.

"The Ivory Coast - I have seen some great potential from them but they are in a very difficult group.

"And finally South Africa, they have played with great passion but the level of World Cup football has been too high for just passion to get them through."

Slovenia, the Group C leader on four points, face England, on two points after a pair of draws, while the US team, also on two points but with more goals than England, meet the Algerians, who drew England for its lone point.

"This group has proved there isn't an easy game," US defender Jay DeMerit said. "It's going to be an interesting last day."

The United States has never won a World Cup game in which it fell behind, but it battled back for a 2-2 draw with Slovenia - having a winning goal wiped out by a referee at the death - and a 1-1 draw with England.

"My guess is there aren't many teams in this tournament that could have done what we did," US star midfielder Landon Donovan said. "That's what the American spirit is about."

US teams are only 2-10 with five drawn in World Cup group play since ending a 40-year Cup finals absence in 1990, but the latest edition is not one to ignore before the final whistle.

"This team keeps fighting until the end," US coach Bob Bradley said. "We have the experience of pushing games when we're behind. It's something we feel good about. It's a credit to the mentality of the players."

But there is some US concern about playing well before its rivals score.

"We seem to play better when we're behind and that's all got to change," US goalkeeper Tim Howard said.

"For whatever reason we seem to be very resilient. With a little more luck and concentration we can get on the right side of the scoresheet early on."

Scoring first will be especially important against an Algerian squad that has not scored at all.

"We're frustrated now that we've fallen behind too often," DeMerit said. "It's not always easy to put together that type of comeback.

"I wouldn't call it a 'Cry Wolf' situation. It would be a situation you hope you wouldn't get into in the first place. One thing about not starting as well as we like, when we do start well, we're going to be in good shape."

Algeria's defence silenced a stellar English lineup and knows it must win or go home early from its first World Cup appearance in 24 years.

"They have got the ability to attack and create," Bradley said. "They defend in numbers and take their chances with some of the more creative attacking players going forward. It has worked well for them.

"It means our discipline, our ability to finish attacks, will be very important. Even when you have a talented attacking team like England... getting a goal is still not easy."

The North Africans carry plenty of confidence into the match.

"If Algeria plays to its potential, we do not need to worry about our opponents," Foxes midfielder Karim Matmour said. "If we play our style, we can beat anyone."

Midfielders Karim Ziani and Yazid Mansouri set the tempo for Algeria, which was undone in a loss to Slovenia only after a red card dipped the Desert Foxes to 10 men and made England pay for saying it barely knew any Foxes player.

"We showed that we were worthy of at least a minimum of respect," Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra said.

KEY TO MATCH:

US striker Jozy Altidore vs Algerian defenders

Both teams need to attack at some stage with victory vital to each. The US team figures to go on the offensive early on and with forward Robbie Findley suspended, the workload will fall to Altidore, aided by Clint Dempsey and Donovan. Blunting the initial US surge will be critical for Algeria.

With more exalted nations like France and England experiencing problems within the camp Matmour believes the African nation can draw on its spirit to secure the victory which could be enough to put it through to the knockout stage.

"I play for the team. That is every player's job," said the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder, who is 25 on Friday.

"Today's football is very physical. Skill is just for the final metres."

Antar Yahia, who took over the captaincy when midfielder Yazid Mansouri was dropped from the starting line-up, added: "Our strength is playing collectively.

"We know if we don't play as a team we can't win."

Fabio Capello's squad's FIFA World Cup hopes have been left in the balance as a result of a goalless draw with Algeria in Cape Town.

Wayne Rooney and Company never looked like breaking down an Algerian side that had been fired up by Rooney's pre-match comments that England would not need to be at their best to win the match.

"In a World Cup, you always have to respect your opponent," said the Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra. "We showed that we were worthy of at least a minimum of respect."

Striker Ryad Boudebouz admitted that the Algerians had taken particular pleasure from making Rooney regret his ill-judged pre-match remarks, which included an admission that Nadir Belhadj, the Portsmouth defender, was the only Algerian he had heard of.

"It's true that getting a draw made us particularly happy because of the way the English under-estimated us with their comments in the media in the run-up to the match.

"We put our heart and soul into this match because we were determined to show them that we were not in this World Cup by accident."

The goalless draw has left England needing to beat Slovenia on Thursday morning (AEST) to be sure of progressing to the knockout stages and the Algerians would not be surprised if Capello's squad is forced to book an early flight back to London.

"To be perfectly honest, I expected much better from then," said veteran coach Rabah Saadane, who believes England were taken by surprise by the ease with which Algeria were able to retain possession.

"I don't know what was going on with them. They were better against the United States but they definitely didn't have their best day against us.

"It's up to their coach to draw the conclusions from that, not me, but it is clear that our short-passing game gave them problems."

Portsmouth midfielder Hassan Yebda queried whether Capello had, as many believed prior to the World Cup, got the balance of his midfield right.

"Everyone knows that Frank Lampard is not the same player for England as he is in a Chelsea shirt," Yebda said. "And maybe his style and qualities are too similar to (Steven) Gerrard for them to play together."

Although it exerted some late pressure, if Capello's men had denied Algeria a point it would have been a massive injustice on a night when Franz Beckenbauer's assessment of England being a "kick and rush" team was proved to be false. England wasn't as good as that.

The maths are now quite simple. Beat Slovenia - when it will be without the suspended Jamie Carragher - in Port Elizabeth and England has scrambled its way into the last 16. Fail and in all probability England will go home.

And, after the evidence of their 180 minutes so far since its arrival in South Africa, that is exactly what it will deserve.

Capello said in the lead-up to the game he has not made any mistakes.

After watching his team hardly threaten the Algerian goal, if he still feels that way, his bunch of players truly are woeful.

Because all the altitude training, and all the preparations at its Rustenburg hideaway have delivered a paucity of performance that is almost too bad to be believed.

Having told the world he would not confirm the identity of his chosen goalkeeper until two hours before kick-off, it transpired Capello's mind had been made up by the final training session last night.

A couple of mistakes from Rob Green were enough to convince Capello the West Ham man could not be trusted, so David James was in for his first competitive start in 15 months.

Really though it was supposed to be a watching brief for the man who stood between the sticks. Against a side ranked 30th in the world, and from a continent that has never beaten England, in front of Prince William, the Three Lions were supposed to deliver a performance fit for a king.

How wrong that assumption was.

England's lack of guile was embarrassing at times.

It took Capello's men until three minutes before the break to retain possession for any decent period.

Every time it got hold of the ball, it seemed England were in a rush to get rid of it, or at least try to force something to happen, which ultimately amounted to the same thing.

Wayne Rooney did not appear fit. He certainly endured a frustrating time of it.

Penalised after two muscular tangles, England's talisman eventually managed a shot when the opening period was in its death throes. Like so many England efforts, it was struck from the edge of the area and posed little threat.

The best chance fell Frank Lampard's way after Aaron Lennon's cross had been half-cleared by Rafik Halliche but it was saved.

For the first hour Algeria was the more inventive side. Its players were quicker, slicker, possessed greater imagination and incisive movement. In short, Algeria was superior in all the technical aspects of the game. Only in those staples of the Premier League, strength and power, were the north Africans lacking.

On the bench, David Beckham could only wonder what might have been. Who knows where Paul Scholes is but the Manchester United midfielder must feel he made the right decision in rejecting Capello's call.

After waiting so long for Gareth Barry to recover from his ankle injury, the England boss watched his preferred holding midfielder lose the ball to Karim Matmour.

Possession was quickly transferred upfield and after cutting inside Glen Johnson, Karim Ziani drilled his shot into the side-netting rather than test James fully with the controversial Jabulani ball Capello hates so much.

The Italian could not have been happy. The England supporters certainly weren't. And the second half did not start any better.

Steven Gerrard and Lampard both wasted possession after finding themselves in decent positions, while at the other end Carragher stuck out an arm to deny Hassan Yebda a chance to race into the box and was booked.

The yellow card had additional significance and means Capello must either turn to Matthew Upson for next Wednesday's (Thursday morning AEST) encounter with unbeaten Slovenia, having relegated the West Ham man to fifth choice centre-half, including Rio Ferdinand, or hand Michael Dawson his debut.

That clash was quickly taking on the status of must-win.

Finally England's fitness was allowing them to dictate the game. Yet old failings remain and the introduction of additional pace in the form of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jermain Defoe could not rectify them.

After 83 minutes of fruitless toil, Capello turned to Peter Crouch. Back to the long ball.

Even that did not work.

Goalkeeper Green's blunder gifted the United States an equaliser in last weekend's 1-1 draw in Rustenburg.

He has been the topic of constant speculation this week as to whether he will be given another chance by Capello or whether he will be replaced by Joe Hart or David James.

But Capello will not break with his tradition of informing his players whether they are playing until shortly before they board the team bus for a game.

He said: "I have decided but we have to wait until tomorrow. I haven't told the goalkeeper who is playing.

"As always, they will find out on the the day of the game - never the day before.

"I think when I chose Green it was a good moment for him, after the game he played against Mexico. He played very well in that first half.

"But I think one problem of the keepers, and I saw some keepers make mistakes, is a problem with the ball.

"Sometimes the bounce is higher than normal. For this reason, I have to justify the keeper.

"I think all the players make mistakes - the forwards, the keeper, the defence. But I have to choose the value of different players and it's not about their mistakes."

The other area in which Capello admitted yesterday he was considering a change was upfront, with Emile Heskey and Jermain Defoe vying to partner Wayne Rooney.

Capello is pleased with the form of Heskey but may opt for a different style against Algeria which could lead to Defoe being called up.

He said: "I think Heskey and Rooney played very well but I can change the style of the forward.

"I think Heskey is a very important player in terms of movement at this moment but Defoe is also important, like the other players. I have to choose."

Capello believes there was not too much wrong to concern himself with in terms of the performance against USA.

He said: "I was happy after the game against the USA for everything I saw during the game. Only the result I was not happy about. Only this.

"But for all the teams who played the first game, it was not easy. The pressure of the first game is higher than in other games.

"We didn't score the goals. We created a lot of chances. I want to see no mistakes, only this, because I think that when you create so many chances it's possible the team will score them this time."

Capello is adamant he will not underestimate Algeria as England looks to move closer to the last 16 by securing three points.

He said: "I respect the team. They score a lot from counter-attacks and set-pieces.

"I've learned a lot in this period and seen all the games in the World Cup and no games are easy.

"It will be a big mistake to think this game would be easy."

But the full recovery of Barry from the ankle injury which threatened his participation in the tournament has cleared the way for the Liverpool star to venture further up the pitch.

And the 30-year-old believes the return of Barry will strengthen England for the meeting with the Algerians in Cape Town.

Gerrard said: "It is great to have Gareth back. He is a terrific passer of the ball, he is so calm in possession.

"He gives protection to the two centre-halves if they need it and he has been fantastic for England during the past two years.

"His return to the side really strengthens the starting X1."

Barry played a key part in England qualifying for the finals with nine wins in 10 matches in giving Frank Lampard and Gerrard licence to go forward.

He suffered his injury in early May when on duty for Manchester City against Tottenham but his availability will enable Gerrard to switch to the position he enjoys the most.

Gerrard said: "It is not for me to prejudge what the manager is going to do and I will do whatever job the manager asks me to do to the best of my ability.

"But, if I am able to play in a more attacking role, then it suits me and I will look forward to that."

Gerrard also believes it will only be a matter of time before Wayne Rooney starts delivering the goal-power and form that made him one of the best players in the world during the past season.

Rooney has netted 25 goals for his country in 61 internationals but only one in eight internationals during the past 12 months in contrast to his form for Manchester United.

Gerrard said: "Wayne has looked great in training and it is only a matter of time before he finds the back of the net and everyone says he is on great form again.

"During the past season, he has been one of the best players in the world - and it is only a matter of time before he is back to that form."

Gerrard is optimistic England will improve on its performance against the USA as it looks to register its first win in the tournament.

He said: "We were pleased with the majority of the performance but in the first game there is a lot of tension and pressure.

"Hopefully in this game you will see a more fluent performance from England. We have looked sharp in training and everyone is looking for a convincing win tomorrow."

Gerrard is no big fan of the World Cup ball and has sympathy for the keepers in dealing with its unpredictability.

He said: "It is not so bad for the midfielders and the strikers but when you play it off the floor it is unpredictable.

"It is an advantage when shooting because keepers don't know what is coming but it is something you have to try and deal with and is the same for all sides."

England enjoyed a clean bill of health during its final training session before the game with all 22 available players put through their paces.

Ledley King was the only absentee as he continues his rehabilitation work after suffering a groin injury against the USA last weekend.

Rooney admits there is room for improvement in his own performance following England's 1-1 draw with the United States in its opening World Cup game.

He is keen to live up to his reputation as one of the most lethal forwards in world football after a disappointing 2006 tournament in Germany when he lacked sharpness following a broken foot.

The Manchester United star also had an injury-hit end to the club season following an ankle injury suffered against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

But he is adamant he is now firing on all cylinders.

Rooney said: "This is a great opportunity for England and for me to prove myself at the world level. If I don't do that, I'd be disappointed.

"I haven't proved myself on the world stage yet. The last World Cup was a disappointment for me.

"I'm looking to do well in this one and try to prove myself on the world stage.

"I've sort of forgotten about the last World Cup now and I've moved on.

"What drives me on is trying to win for England and trying to do well at world level. That's a great driving force for any player."

Rooney has managed to put the injury against Bayern behind him and is looking to step up a gear against Algeria.

He said: "I got the injury against Munich and, once you get injured, you lose your match fitness and sharpness.

"It was difficult to play as well as I wanted. But I'm not focused on that. I'm focused on England.

"When I was playing well and scoring this season, in training I was sharp and hungry. That's how I feel at the minute.

"At the training camp in Austria I had a few niggles and in training I held myself back.

"But since we've come over to South Africa I've felt sharp and been flat out in training.

"That's important for me to do that to get my form back in the games."

Rooney admitted: "I watched the USA game again that night. I saw where I could do better, where I should have been, how to improve my positions.

"It was quite interesting to watch. Everyone can have a quiet game. We need nine out of the 11 players on song to win games.

"There were moments when I did some good things against the USA and moments when I would have liked to get on the ball more.

"There were glimpses. But personally I know I can play better and hope to put that right."

The 26-year-old, who spent this season on loan at Portsmouth from Benfica, has played against plenty of Fabio Capello's team in the English Premier League.

But he insists the north Africans will not be overawed as it looks for a victory to re-ignite its hope of qualifying for the knockout stages.

"I watched the England game against the United States and I thought it was a good game," he said.

"They are two good teams and it will be very difficult.

"I don't see a lot of weaknesses in the England side, they have so many good players.

"But we will try to give our best. We want to win our final two games to qualify."

With England having just one point and Algeria none fellow midfielder Karim Matmour believes neither side can allow Saturday's encounter to finish in a draw.

"There needs to be a winner of this match, otherwise it will be very difficult for both us and them [to qualify]," he said.

He believes England's collection of superior talent can sometimes work against The Three Lions.

"There are great individuals in all positions but this quality can also be a negative because it is often seen with large teams that individuals have difficulty in working together and are not always a great team," he added.

The 26-year-old, who spent this season on loan at Portsmouth from Benfica, has played against plenty of Fabio Capello's team in the Premier League.

But he insists the north Africans will not be overawed as they push for a victory to re-ignite their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.

"I watched the England game against the United States and I thought it was a good game," he said.

"They are two good teams and it will be very difficult.

"I don't see a lot of weaknesses in the England side, they have so many good players.

"But we will try to give our best. We want to win our final two games to qualify."

With England having just one point and Algeria none fellow midfielder Karim Matmour believes neither side can allow the encounter to finish in a draw.

"There needs to be a winner of this match, otherwise it will be very difficult for both us and them [to qualify]," he said.

He believes England's collection of superior talent can sometimes work against it.

"There are great individuals in all positions but this quality can also be a negative because it is often seen with large teams that individuals have difficulty in working together and are not always a great team," he added.

The Wolves midfielder was a late substitute in the 1-0 defeat in its Group C opener against Slovenia which left the north African nation with a mountain to climb to qualify for the knockout stages.

Algeria, making its first World Cup appearance for 24 years, is likely to have to beat England and the United States in back-to-back games to progress.

Against Slovenia it held the initiative in the early stages but faded in the second half and its hopes of victory disappeared after the sending-off of substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal.

But Guedioura, who signed a three-year contract at Molineux at the end of the season having initially joined on loan from Belgian side Charleroi, insists the team can put the disappointment of that defeat behind it.

"It was a disappointing performance because we didn't deserve to lose," he said.

"The team showed they could win the match and the draw would have been more fair and what we deserved.

"What we have to do is say it is finished now and look forward. Now we have two big matches and we have to be focused for England.

"We showed against Slovenia that we can do something. We will see against England. We need to be focused and we need to be confident.

"Every game now is a fight and we need points against England so that we can get points in this group."

Both teams have seen their goalkeepers come in for criticism for horrendous blunders which have proved expensive.

Robert Green's failure to hold on to Clint Dempsey's long-range shot ensured the United States escaped with a 1-1 draw from the opening Group C encounter while Faouzi Chaouchi's inability to deal with Robert Koren's tame strike led to the defeat against Slovenia.

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane has given his goalkeeper his full backing but England counterpart Fabio Capello has been less forthcoming on Green's position.

It has led to much conjecture about who will line-up in goal at the Green Point Stadium in three days' time but Guedioura would not be drawn into the debate.

When asked whether he thought both teams would change their keepers he said: "I don't know, I'm not the coach.

"We saw the England goalkeeper making a mistake so it is not his (Chaouchi's) fault. I am disappointed for him.

"Everyone makes a mistake in football: sometimes it's the goalkeeper, sometimes it's me, sometimes another player."

The pair missed Monday's session, Cole to do rehabilitation work on old injuries and Rooney with an ankle knock he picked up in the opening 1-1 draw against the United States.

Happily, the pair were fit enough to return as England continued its preparations for Saturday's (AEST) Group C outing against Algeria in Cape Town.

The one absentee was Ledley King. His presence in the remainder of the competition is in doubt after the Tottenham captain was forced out at half-time at the weekend due to a groin injury.

And although club manager Harry Redknapp hinted King has had a scan and could be out for three weeks, the FA have so far refused to speculate on how long the defender will be sidelined.

However, it seems unlikely King will be involved until the semi-finals at the earliest, if England get that far.

The Manchester City player insists he is fully recovered from the ankle problem suffered in early May against Tottenham which threatened his participation in the finals.

His partnership with Lampard and Gerrard was pivotal in England reaching South Africa in impressive style with nine wins from 10 games in the qualifying group.

Barry told BBC Sport: "The three of us played the majority of games and I think there was a good understanding.

"Stevie was working from the left but coming centrally and getting forward quite a lot.

"They both chipped in with their fair share of goals and it really worked well."

It is a relief to Barry to be involved in his first World Cup finals after being overlooked for 2002 and 2006 by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

He admits it was "touch and go" whether he would recover sufficiently from the ligament damage suffered against Spurs at Eastlands on May 5.

Barry said: "It has felt like the World Cup was never going to come for me.

"Midway through the Sven-Goran Eriksson era, my England career and the World Cup looked miles away.

"When the injury came, it felt like it was one of those things that was not going to happen.

"It was touch and go but it was important I never stopped believing."

Barry added: "The ankle has been fine for 10 days. Another week's training in the lead-up to the Algeria game and I should be spot on.

"If the manager had asked me if I was ready to play against the United States at the weekend, I would have bitten his hand off to try and make the starting team.

"I was desperate for us to go two or three goals up and then he might have thrown me on!"

Barry joined the chorus of sympathy for keeper Robert Green after his error cost a goal against the United States.

He said: "You don't know what to say to somebody who's made a mistake like that.

"Sometimes you are better leaving them alone and letting them get on with it themselves. But the manager and all the players are right behind Rob.

"The manager spoke to Rob straight away. You know this is football, and those things happen. I'm sure Rob knows and he's thinking he can come out stronger and learn from it."

Bougherra's side lie bottom of the pool having lost its opening match 1-0 to Slovenia, but the 27-year-old is comforted by the fact it is only one point behind Fabio Capello's side.

And, as England was the favourite to top the group at the outset, the Rangers centre-back reckons it is England who has more to worry about ahead of the clash at the Green Point Stadium.

"England are a big player with a good mentality and a lot of experience," said Bougherra, one of the more experienced players from a nation playing in the World Cup for the first time in 24 years.

"It is our (the players') first World Cup so we have nothing to lose. "We are not just thinking about the World Cup but also about the future.

"We will do our best to portray a good image of Algeria. We have a good spirit and have nothing to lose."

Bougherra, who had stints in England with Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Crewe, expects Capello's side to improve after a stuttering start in the 1-1 draw with the United States.

"It was a strong game between England and the USA. Both teams played hard with a good spirit," he added.

"There was frustration for England and also for the USA, but it was a good result because it gives us a chance as England and the USA have just one point.

"England are the favourites but big teams usually start slowly and finish high. I expect England to get better."

Algeria is likely to pose a threat to England at set-pieces, with Bougherra and fellow centre-back Rafik Halliche strong in the air and Portsmouth left-back Nadir Belhadj showing against Slovenia he can produce plenty of decent crosses.

However, the Desert Foxes displayed a lack of quality in the final third and rarely looked like beating goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

The one man who did make the breakthrough was Slovenia captain Robert Koren, released by West Brom for financial reasons at the end of this season.

His 25-yard shot did not appear to pose too many problems until Faouzi Chouchi misjudged the bounce and allowed the ball to go in off his shoulder.

That goal secured Slovenia's first win at a FIFA World Cup - it returned home from the Far East point-less eight years ago - and put it top of Group C.

Koren admitted its pre-match objective had been to test the erratic Chouchi, but even he could not have envisaged the manner of his goal.

"When I received the ball and turned, I saw a line to the far corner [of the goal] and I shot but I was lucky the ball went into the net," he said.

"We all know that all the keepers do not have a lot of confidence with this ball. It is difficult for the players and even more so for the goalkeepers.

"When we talked in the meeting before the game we said we need to get as many shots in as possible, and we are really pleased one of them went in."

However, despite the significance of the victory, Koren insists the team is already focused on its next match against the USA in Johannesburg on Saturday morning (AEST) when another win would put his side into the knockout stage.

"It was a not a big celebration after the game because that is not the time for celebrating. In four days we have another match," said the 29-year-old.

"It means a lot to me and everyone in the team to get our first World Cup victory.

"For such a small country (Slovenia has a population of two million) to go to the World Cup is already a big achievement.

"It is good to see we are top of the group but our minds are already on the USA because we have to prepare well for this game.

"Our goal is to get through the group stage."

The 64-year-old - in his fifth spell in charge of the 'Desert Foxes' - admitted his side was very much the underdog in the group, a fact borne out by its opening 1-0 defeat by Slovenia.

"It will be very difficult (to qualify)," said Saadane, whose playing career was ended aged just 27 by a car crash.

"We are the minnows in the group ... we will learn things when we play against England, we will see what we are capable of, what is our level, and this is the lesson for the World Cup for Algeria.

"It is imperative to recuperate from this match and to prepare for an even more difficult match against the best team in the group.

"I think that, save injuries and tiredness, we will start with the same team, but the tactics will probably change."

Saadane was disappointed his side had failed to get even a point from a game it would have expected at the very least to draw - though it was not helped by the red card for substitute striker Abdelkader Ghezzal 18 minutes from time - but was pleased with the overall display in Algeria's first match at the finals since 1986.

"We did not deserve this result, but that is football," he said resignedly.

"I congratulate my team, I am very happy with the behaviour of the players in this match.

"We were well-organised, we knew how to retain the ball, and especially good in the first half and for most of the second period, though fatigue did start to set in.

"I have said on several occasions and I repeat that it is a body of work that needs time.

"We are, as it were, in an apprenticeship."

Saadane, who also coached the Algerians at the 1986 finals, said he did not hold either Ghezzal or goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi - who mistimed his dive and saw the ball bobble over him for the goal - responsible for the defeat.

"As regards Ghezzal and Chaouchi, it is part of their growing-up process, and that goes back to what I was saying about an apprenticeship.

"Football is built on errors, we saw that of England goalkeeper Robert Green on Saturday (his mistake handed the United States their equaliser in the 1-1 draw), and I will not blame these two players.

"Ghezzal did not come on as psychologically prepared as he should have done.

"As for Chaouchi, he remains our best goalkeeper, and he will continue to play as number one, the only way he won't is if he asks to be dropped.

In a match short on chances the Europeans benefited greatly from Chaouchi's handling, which had been suspect all game, with 11 minutes to go.

The 25-year-old misjudged former West Brom midfielder Robert Koren's shot from outside the area and when it bounced in front of him he bizarrely allowed the ball to go past, clipping his shoulder and hitting the net.

It was similar to the error England's Robert Green made in allowing the United States to equalise in its 1-1 draw in Group C.

"Everyone saw what happened with the ball, and what happened yesterday with England's goalkeeper," Saadane said.

"You have to adjust to the flight of the ball."

With the 'big two' in the group, England and the USA, drawing this game was an opportunity to seize a significant advantage and Saadane bemoaned his side's failure to do so as it now faces England on Saturday morning (AEST).

"We must recover and prepare for an even more difficult match against England, who are the best of the group," he added.

"It's going to be very difficult now. We had a great opportunity today and we missed it."

Less than 24 hours after England's Robert Green had let Clint Dempsey's shot slip from his grasp in the 1-1 draw in the group's opening game, Chaouchi produced a similar howler.

Slovenia captain and former West Brom midfielder Robert Koren's 25-yard shot was not particularly venomous but the Algeria goalkeeper allowed it to bounce up off his shoulder and into the net.

Only moments before that the African side had been reduced to 10 men when substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal's needless handball resulted in a second yellow card.

The win puts Slovenia top of the fledgling table and with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages, an unlikely scenario before the tournament kicked off.

On this evidence it would seem unlikely either nation will cause Group C's "big two" any problems but, as has so often been the case in the past, England has an unwelcome habit of stumbling over hard-working and resolute teams.

And both Algeria and Slovenia reached the FIFA World Cup with play-off victories over Egypt and Russia, countries supposedly superior to them.

Portsmouth defender Nadir Belhadj presented an early threat when he forced Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to tip over a third-minute curling free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.

It was a rare moment of quality in a half littered with errors as both sides needlessly gave the ball away.

Valter Birsa's inswinging free-kick from the right touchline forced Chaouchi to punch clear Slovenia's first real chance in the 21st minute.

Algeria striker Rafik Djebbour was lucky to escape punishment after appearing to deliberately catch centre-back Marko Suler in the face with his shoulder on the half-hour.

But Aleksandar Radosavljevic was booked by referee Carlos Batres for barging over Belhadj as he attempted to break down the left.

The resulting free-kick signalled a few minutes of sustained pressure which ended with centre-back Rafik Halliche heading wide Algeria's best opportunity from Karim Ziani's corner.

Just before the interval Karim Matmour's left-foot half-volley flew narrowly over the crossbar at one end while Chaouchi had to acrobatically tip over Birsa's long-range effort at the other.

Both teams changed their strikers early in the second half; Slovenia sending on Zlatan Ljubijankic for the ineffective Zlatko Dedic and Algeria replacing Djebbour with Ghezzal.

But Belhadj's delivery remained the most likely weapon to create the breakthrough as Halliche had a free-kick snatched off his forehead by Handanovic.

Rangers centre-back Madjid Bougherra produced a perfectly-timed tackle to deny Milivoje Novakovic just as he was about to shoot 12 yards out.

Algeria's chances of victory diminished considerably in the 73rd minute when Ghezzal, having been booked with seconds of coming on for pulling Suler's shirt, received a second caution for hand-balling a long punt forward.

Six minutes later Slovenia captain Robert Koren punished the north African outfit with a little help from Chaouchi.

The watching Zinedine Zidane, born in France to Algerian parents and considered a hero in the north African country, was not impressed.

Saadane made the decision on Thursday after revealing he did not think the 32-year-old former Coventry midfielder, Algeria's most experienced player at the World Cup with 67 caps, was in good enough form.

Mansouri reportedly threatened to walk out but has remained with the squad and is expected to be on the bench at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Defender Antar Yahia will wear the captain's armband while Hassan Yebda, who spent this season on loan at Portsmouth from Benfica, could replace Mansouri in midfield.

Asked whether the decision to drop Mansouri had affected morale within the squad Saadane, who also led Algeria in its last World Cup appearance in 1986 in Mexico, said: "I think the team has become used to playing a large number of matches with some people missing.

"We have always tried to work from a psychological and technical perspective as a team and we will work with the team that is on the pitch on the day.

"It is how the team responds collectively on the day which will decide how we play.

"I will put people on the pitch who are psychologically and technically ready for the match.

"If there are any weaknesses then the spirit of the group will carry us forward."

The Rangers centre-back, who previously played for Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday, thinks he has benefited greatly from playing European football with the Scottish champions.

And although Algeria's opening Group C match is against Slovenia in Polokwane on Sunday (Monday morning AEST), Bougherra admits it is the clash with Fabio Capello's side next week in Cape Town which is his biggest challenge.

"It can help me," said Bougherra of his career in the UK.

"I play in a big team, I played Champions League so I have learned a mentality change - I want to win every game.

"It is British football so this can help me with England."

Algeria's new captain, Antar Yahia, has had an injury scare just over 48 hours before he is due to lead out the team.

The defender was given the captain's armband after manager Rabah Saadane dropped skipper Yazid Mansouri because of his poor form.

However, the 28-year-old, who has expressed his desire to leave relegated Bundesliga side Bochum this northern summer, injured his left ankle in training after a clash with third-choice goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi and limped off before the end of the session.

Radosavljevic believes a good performance against Algeria will set Slovenia up for its more difficult encounters with England and the United States.

"We aren't thinking about USA or England at the moment, we just think about Algeria and we are confident that we can play well and with every game get better and better as the tournament progresses," said the 31-year-old.

"We know the whole of Slovenia is behind us so we don't feel pressure. We know many people will be cheering for us in South Africa and back home.

"We must play well to galvanise this support, but we are confident we will do so.

"We don't even think or talk about who will win the World Cup.

"It does not enter our minds how other teams will perform. We focus entirely on ourselves to give ourselves the best chance."

The Rangers centre-back, who previously played for Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday, thinks he has benefited greatly from playing European football with the Scottish champion.

And although Algeria's opening Group C match is against Slovenia in Polokwane, Bougherra admits it is the clash with Fabio Capello's side in Cape Town which is his biggest challenge.

"It can help me," said Bougherra of his career in the UK.

"I play in a big team, I played Champions League so I have learned a mentality change - I want to win every game.

"It is British football so this can help me with England."

Algeria's new captain against Slovenia, Antar Yahia, has had an injury scare just over 48 hours before he is due to lead out the team.

The defender was given the captain's armband after manager Rabah Saadane dropped skipper Yazid Mansouri because of his poor form.

However, the 28-year-old, who has expressed his desire to leave relegated Bundesliga side Bochum, injured his left ankle in training after a clash with third-choice goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi and limped off before the end of the session.

Reports in Algeria even suggested Mansouri had walked out of the team's camp in response to the move, but he trained with the squad on Thursday.

The veteran Lorient midfielder has been told by coach Rabah Saadane his current form is not good enough to warrant inclusion in the team, and he has been replaced by Medhi Lacen.

"It was difficult for Mansouri because he is such an important player in this team," Saadane said. "But I am at the World Cup and I have to make a decision based on tactics and football. He is not in good form at the moment."

Algeria face an uphill task in Group C, where it will face England and the United States after meeting Slovenia.

Algeria beat the United Arab Emirates 1-0 at the weekend to break a losing spell going back to its 4-0 loss to Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Angola in January.

It was handed a 3-0 trouncing by Ireland in another warm-up game, where its defence failed to cope with the Irish long ball.

The Algerians now face Slovenia in its first Group C clash in Polokwane on Sunday evening (AEST), with pool rivals England and the United States playing a day earlier.

Asked whether Slovenia was the best first-up opponent, Portsmouth's Belhadj said: "I don't know if it's ideal. The Slovenians know one another very well and all the teams here deserve their place.

"But we are increasing in power. On Sunday, you'll see a very good match against Slovenia.

"At the African Nations Cup, Rafik Djebbour wasn't there and Abdelkader Ghezzal was all alone up front," he said of two of Algeria's misfiring strike team.

"But now they're really starting to understand one another. Above all, they mustn't doubt themselves and us, well we must do everything to feed them more because at the moment we don't do it enough."

Belhadj justified his team management's decision to base the squad in the relatively out-of-the-way but picturesque town of Margate, a 90-minute drive down the coast from Durban.

"All the better if we're out of the way," he said. "During other training camps there were lots of people at each one and you saw how it all went.

"It's better to be isolated for a few days before the start of a tournament."

He added: "We feel happy and we feel good to be at the World Cup. The training grounds are top-notch and training conditions are very good.

"Now we have to show that on the pitch."

The playmaker, who has become an integral figure in the team in recent months, was last week told his knee injury would not heal in time for the tournament.

Algeria arrived in South Africa on Monday, with Rafik Halliche, Madjid Bougherra, Antar Yahia, Hassan Yebda, Nadir Belhadj, Carl Medjani, Ryad Boudebouz and Djamel Mesbah all carrying injuries, but it is Meghni's failure to make the trip which worried Saadane most.

"He is the centrepiece in the team for his technical and moral qualities," Saadane told L'Expression.

"I wanted to take him to the World Cup but fate decided otherwise."

Algeria also meet England on June 19 (AEST) and the United States on June 24 (AEST).

The Desert Hawks, in the same group as England for the finals, won the match 1-0 thanks to a second-half penalty from Karim Ziani to end a run of four consecutive losses.

Attention will now turn towards their tournament opener against Slovenia in Polokwane next Sunday.

Saadane, whose side were boosted by several injury returnees including star defender Madjid Bougherra, said: "This game was a good test for us. It was very tough and a high level.

"It demonstrated the capabilities of the team, especially with the players returning from injury and took us a step closer to where we want to be.

"There was a lot of willingness on the part of players, who have given a great deal in these last few weeks."

The coach also acknowledged there is work to do if they are to challenge for a place in the knockout stages from a Group C that, in addition to England and Slovenia, also includes the United States.

He continued: "I must also stress that there were many positives and also negatives.

"Among the positives are the physicality of the players. We played an attacking game today to try and win, given our status as a World Cup team.

"There were many problems with ball retention. No one could keep the ball and I asked the players at half time to improve on this and they did in the second half.

"There are still some problems in attack, where we lack the finishing ability. Hopefully this will be with us during the World Cup."

Saadane was also relieved that his side came through the game without any further injury scares.

He added: "Thanks to God there have been no injuries at the end of the game."

The north Africans face the European outsides in Polokwane on June 13, before coming up against its tougher opponents n Group C - England and then the United States.

They face one final warm-up game against United Arab Emirates in Germany on Sunday morning (AEST) and will be desperate to end a four-match losing streak.

But Saadane said: "All the teams have by now had three weeks or so of preparations.

"If you look at the results of some of the other African teams such as Ghana and Cameroon, they sa also failed in warm-up games.

"So, the result of a friendly match is not important, as some think. All I can say is that the team will be ready for the World Cup."

Asked about his plans for the clash with Slovenia, he continued: "The 11 players that will start are in my head.

"But when you go to war, you never tell the enemy your plans.

"So, it's the same for me. All I can say is that I know the 11."

Algeria has endured a troubled build-up to the tournament on the injury front, losing one of its star players, Mourad Meghni, to a knee injury while other important players such as Madjid Bougherra, Hassan Yebda and Carl Medjani have been struggling with niggles.

But ahead of the game with UAE, Saadane added: "I will not take any risk with the injured players."

Saadane had just one selection to make after Lazio midfielder Mourad Meghni was forced to withdraw from the 25-man squad that has been preparing in Switzerland and Germany earlier this week.

Algeria suffered a 3-0 defeat in its opening warm-up game against the Republic of Ireland last week and faces Saudi Arabia in Nuremberg on Saturday (Sunday AEST) before flying to South Africa.

Algeria will begin its World Cup campaign against Slovenia on June 13 before further matches against the United States and England.

Algeria's World Cup squad: Fawzi Chouachi (ES Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Rais M'bohi Ouheb (Slavia Sofia); Laifaoui Abdelkader (ES Setif), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio), Rafik Halliche (Nacional Madeira), Anther Yahia (Bochum), Habib Belaid (Boulogne-sur-Mer), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce); Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth), Mehdi Lacen (Racing Santander), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient), Adlane Guedioura (Wolves), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux), Djamel Abdoun (Nantes), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach); Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens), Rafik Saifi (Istres)

Algeria's hopes were dealt a major blow last week when Lazio playmaker Meghni was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.

But waiting in the wings is 20-year-old Sochaux youngster Boudebouz, who only decided earlier this year to represent the country of his parents after playing for France at Under-17 and Under-19 level.

The Colmar-born midfielder made his debut off the bench against the Republic of Ireland last week and impressed, and now he has his sights set on a key role in South Africa.

Boudebouz told www.fifa.com: "I want to be more than just a member of the group. I want to play and contribute.

"I know what I can do in the playmaker position just behind the strikers. The coach hasn't exactly selected me for my defensive qualities - he knows I don't like defending!"

The North Africans could not complain about not getting on the scoresheet in Dublin, having failed to get even a single shot on target in the opening period.

And Saadane conceded: "It's true that we have a big problem with the national team's attack."

In an interview with Algerian radio he added: "We are going to continue to work towards the aim of improving things for the World Cup."

Algeria has shipped 11 goals to none scored in four games since its 4-0 loss to Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Angola in January.

Striker Abdelkader Ghezzal has failed to score since last October's 3-1 win against Rwanda in a World Cup qualifier.

Despite its recent run of poor performances, Saadane, however, remains optimistic over his team's prospects in South Africa, where it is drawn in Group C with England, United States and Slovenia.

Reflecting on the friendly defeat, Sadaane said: "There were lots of satisfying aspects to take from this game in terms of individual performances from certain players, even if there were lapses in concentration which we'll have to sort out during our training camp in Germany."

Algeria is due to complete its World Cup preparation in the German city of Nuremberg from Monday, with its last warm-up scheduled for June 6 (AEST) against the United Arab Emirates.

Saadane concluded: "We're practically in the last straight before the World Cup. This training camp will enable us to correct the stuff that didn't work against Ireland as we still have work to do before we're at our best at the finals themselves."

For the second time in four days, Giovanni Trapattoni's side - who were denied a trip to South Africa by Thierry Henry's handball - dispatched a side who will take part in the tournament, and this time it did so with some ease.

They went ahead with 32 minutes gone when Green, starting for his country for the first time, dived to head home Liam Lawrence's cross, and Keane extended the lead seven minutes after the restart.

The skipper's 85th-minute penalty completed the job as England's second World Cup opponent, admittedly without several of its bigger names, succumbed all too easily.

Fabio Capello's trusted lieutenant Franco Baldini was among a boisterous crowd, swelled by thousand of Algerians, at the Royal Dublin Showground as he ran the rule over the Algerians.

What he will have learned is debatable as the North Africans were well beaten.

At times Algeria was adept on the ball with holding midfielder Mehdi Lacen and Portsmouth's Nadir Belhadj particularly influential, but it struggled to supply anything of note to its strikers and were woeful at the back.

That may have been just as well for Ireland, with the imposing figure of Rafik Djebbour looking more than capable of ruffling a few feathers.

However, he was dealt with comfortably by Sean St Ledger and, until he limped off nine minutes before the break, John O'Shea.

Indeed, just as it had done against Paraguay, it was the Republic who created the better chances despite seeing less of the ball.

The Irish might have been ahead as early as the third minute when Kevin Doyle got across his marker to meet Damien Duff's free-kick with a steered volley, although he was only able to guide the ball into the waiting arms of goalkeeper Faouzi Caouchi.

Duff fired well wide from the edge of the box with 22 minutes gone, but at the other end Keiren Westwood did not have a single save to make.

Green did not look out of place and made one vital interception inside his own box to cut out a Yazid Mansouri cross, but his evening was to get even better.

He bravely dived in to meet Lawrence's 32nd-minute free-kick in front of Caouchi and open the scoring, although he took a boot in the head from the goalkeeper in the process.

However, he was able to continue after treatment and Trapattoni's men returned for the final 45 minutes of an international season determined to end it with a flourish.

The Republic might have increased its lead within four minutes of the restart had debutant Djamel Mesbah not got in a fine block to deny Lawrence.

However, Algeria contributed to its own downfall three minutes later when, after Wolves defender Aldane Guedioura had allowed Duff to cross from the left, Caouchi punched the ball ineffectually towards Keane, who hooked it back over him and into the empty net.

Westwood was called upon for the first time to keep out Karim Ziani's long-range effort with 55 minutes gone, but Ireland were dominating in possession and chances.

Three times inside seven minutes Keane could have added to his tally, first forcing a good diving save from Caouchi before being denied by the post after running onto Kevin Doyle's flick.

He then only just failed to beat substitute goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi with a cheeky 70th-minute lob.

Guedioura came close to pulling one back for the visitors when he rattled the crossbar with a late header, before Mesbah was adjudged to have tripped Keane when he played the ball first and the Tottenham striker stroked home the 43rd goal of his international career from the spot.

The centre-half has been hampered by injury problems throughout the season and failed to take part in the final four games for the Scottish Champion.

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane now wants Bougherra to rest for up to 10 days to ensure he is at peak fitness as it prepares to face England, the United States and Slovenia.

That means the 27-year-old will miss next week's friendly with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin but will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup.

Saadane said: "Madjid will be subject to intensive medical care.

"He came to this training camp with a torn calf and now our medical people will treat him in the best possible way to make sure he is fit in time for the finals.

"Madjid's injury requires special care and I want him to rest for up to 10 days."

Speaking of Algeria's chances at the World Cup in the Rangers News this week, Bougherra said: "England are one of the favourites for the World Cup title but, after that, we have nothing to lose.

"The USA and Slovenia have a lot of experience but we are going to South Africa with high hopes.

"We are going to go out on the pitch, enjoy ourselves and give everything for our country because we think we can do something special.

"Our big strength is our unity. We all want to succeed for Algeria because we all love our country and we will all work very hard together.

"It will be tough for us at the World Cup because every side there is good - but we are not afraid of anyone."

The 25-man selection was made up largely of those players who contested January's Africa Cup of Nations, where the Desert Hawks finished fourth.

Fawzi Chouachi, Lounes Gaouaoui, Mohamed Zemmamouche and Abdelkader Laifaoui are the only squad members who play their club football in Algeria.

Seven players ply their trades in France, while four are based in Britain - Rangers' Madjid Bougherra, Portsmouth duo Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda, and Adlene Guedioura, who is currently on loan at Wolves from Belgian side Charleroi.

The north Africans, who have reached the World Cup for the first time since 1986, will face England, United States and Slovenia in Group C in South Africa.

Algeria will hold a fortnight-long training camp in Switzerland from 13 May before contesting friendlies against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on 28 May and the United Arab Emirates in Nuremberg on 5 June.

Saadane will be required to trim his squad to 23 players by 1 June.

Algeria squad: Fawzi Chouachi (ES Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (MC Alger), M'bohi Rais Ouheb (Slavia Sofia); Abdelkader Laifaoui (ES Setif), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio), Rafi Halliche (Nacional), Anther Yahia (Bochum), Haib Belaid (Boulogne), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce); Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth), Mehdi Lacen (Racing Santander), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient), Adlene Guedioura (Charleroi), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux), Djamel Abdoun (Nantes), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes), Mourad Meghni (Lazio), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach); Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens), Rafik Saifi (Istres)

The Desert Hawks, who are in the same group as England, United States and Slovenia for this tournament in South Africa, struggled for large parts of the game against their European opponents.

it fell behind after 14 minutes thanks to a Marko Pantelic strike and never recovered.

Zdravko Kuzmanovic (55) doubled the advantage in Algiers, before a sweeping counter-attack led to a third for Dusko Tosic (65) as Rabah Saadane's men slumped to defeat.

In Durban, World Cup host South Africa did little to convince its doubters that it can progress to the second round of the tournament with a meek draw against minnow Namibia.

Rudolf Bester gave Namibia a shock 42nd-minute lead in the game which was arranged to mark the 100-day countdown to the global spectacle that is scheduled to get under way on 11 June.

Carlos Alberto Parreira's men, who are in the same group as France, Mexico and Uruguay for the World Cup, finally managed an equaliser through Katlego Mphela after 70 minutes to give the home crowd something to cheer about.

Elsewhere, Ricardo Job's late strike helped Angola salvage a 1-1 draw against Latvia in Luanda.

Angola, playing its first game since the resignation of coach Manuel Jose, fell behind to a Girts Karlsons goal on the stroke of half-time.

But it rallied in the second half and was rewarded 14 minutes from time when the Petro Atletico midfielder helped secure a deserved draw.

Another of the World Cup-bound countries, Nigeria, was also in action and delivered an impressive result under the watchful eye of new coach Lars Lagerback when it thumped DR Congo 5-2 in Abuja.

The Swede was not in charge for the game, but witnessed an encouraging display from the Super Eagles, who were made up of largely home-based players.

Osas Idehem notched a brace and further goals from Peter Utaka, Chinedum Ezimora and Obinna Nsofor helped complete the rout.

The visitors had Mbenza Bedi to thank for his two goals, but they proved only a consolation as the west Africans, who are pooled with Argentina, Greece and Korea Republic for the World Cup, eased to victory.

In other results, three Africa Cup of Nations finalists Mozambique, Malawi and Mali were all surprisingly beaten.

In Maputo, host Mozambique slipped to a 1-0 loss to fellow southern African, Botswana, Zimbabwe edged out Malawi 2-1 in Harare and Mali suffered the same scoreline against Libya in Tripoli.

Bolton striker Johan Elmander earned Sweden a 1-0 win in a low-key clash against Wales in Swansea, while Ervin Skela's superb free-kick saw Albania beat Northern Ireland, for whom defender Stephen Craigan twice hit the woodwork, by the same scoreline.

Vidic returned for United last week after a lengthy absence due to a leg injury.

Serbia coach Radomir Antic said Vidic did not travel for Wednesday evening's (Thursday morning AEDT) match in Algiers, staying behind to recuperate and reduce the risk of another injury.

Serbia won its European qualifying group to secure a place at the World Cup in South Africa for the first time. Algeria has also qualified for the World Cup.

Serbia will play Ghana, Germany and Australia in its World Cup group, while Algeria faces England, the United States and Slovenia.

Vidic returned for United this week after a lengthy absence due to a leg injury.

Also included in Serbia's 23-man squad for next Wednesday's match in Algiers are Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic and striker Milan Jovanovic, who is set to move to Liverpool from Standard Liege in the summer.

The only new name on coach Radomir Antic's list is Red Star Belgrade forward Dejan Lekic.

Antic said he expects 70,000 Algeria fans to pack the stadium in Algiers on Wednesday.

"This will be a good chance to test ourselves playing in that kind of atmosphere," Antic said.

Serbia won its European qualifying group to secure a place at the World Cup in South Africa for the first time. Algeria has also qualified for the World Cup.

Serbia will play Ghana, Germany and Australia in the World Cup group stage, while Algeria faces England, the United States and Slovenia.

Antic added that he was skeptical about South Africa's ability to host the World Cup. But, after a visit earlier this month, he said: "I'm very satisfied."

--

Serbia squad:

Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Wigan), Zeljko Brkic (Vojvodina Novi Sad).

Defense: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Antonio Rukavina (1860 Munich), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio).

Midfield: Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Gojko Kacar (Hertha Berlin), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Zoran Tosic (Cologne), Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev), Bosko Jankovic (Genoa).

Forwards: Nikola Zigic (Valencia), Marko Pantelic (Ajax), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege), Dejan Lekic (Red Star Belgrade), Danko Lazovic, (PSV Eindhoven).

A stunning victory over West Germany highlighted two consecutive World Cup appearances during the 1980s and the 'Desert Foxes' began the following decade by hosting and winning the African Nations Cup.

But a solitary-goal success over Nigeria in Algiers proved the high-water mark for a national team that experienced far more lows than highs since with coaching changes failing to arrest the slide.

When drawn in the same final World Cup qualifying group as old foes Egypt, few outside Algeria believed they could top a mini-league completed by Zambia and Rwanda.

Having drawn in Kigali, the 'Foxes' won four consecutive games and went to Cairo knowing even a one-goal defeat would clinch first place and a return to the most watched global sporting event.

Shaken by an attack on their bus in the Egyptian capital with rocks injuring several players, Algeria fell behind within 120 seconds and then held on until five minutes into stoppage time when Emad Moteab snatched a second goal.

The most gripping of the five groups finished with Algeria and Egypt level on points, goal difference and goals scored and they had to clash again four days later in steamy Sudan.

A hyper-tense showdown was settled by an Antar Yahia goal four minutes before half-time with the Germany-based defender slipping unnoticed into the penalty area and volleying a dipping cross past Essam al-Hadary.

It was a goal that advertised African football at its best, and a stark contrast to the ugliness surrounding the play-off with Egyptian property in Algiers damaged, citizens forced to return home, and a political war of words.

Crude nationalism often bubbles just below the surface of African football and the Algerian and Egyptian media stoked flames of intolerance that burnt long after the final whistle in Omdurman.

The survival of Algeria at the expense of Egypt was the major surprise of the World Cup campaign with Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast winning the other pools and hosts South Africa qualifying automatically.

Ivory Coast came off worse in a generally unkind tournament draw for Africa and must finish among the top two in a mini-league with Brazil, Portugal and North Korea to reach the knockout phase.

World Cup qualifiers doubled as eliminators for the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola, whose desperate race to finish stadiums and related facilities on time was an action replay of Burkina Faso in 1998 and Mali four years later.

Back after a 26-year absence, Malawi were the biggest surprise among the 16 teams who made it with South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Morocco notable absentees.

South Africans, whose goal-shy national team ended the year ranked an embarrassing 18 in Africa and 85 in the world, drew some consolation from World Cup preparations that sent prophets of doom scurrying for cover.

The new Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban is an architectural masterpiece and the other nine venues are either finished or almost there as fears that South Africa would not cope with an ambitious building programme proved false.

DR Congo enjoyed unexpected success early and late in the year with the national team winning the African Nations Championship, a new competition reserved for home-based stars, in Abidjan.

Half the successful Congolese squad came from the Tout Puissant Mazembe club in the mining city of Lubumbashi and they bridged a 41-year gap by becoming African champions a third time, at the expense of Nigerian club Heartland.

Mazembe needed the away-goal rule to succeed and it was even closer in the second-tier African Confederation Cup as Stade Malien of Mali pipped favoured Entente Setif of Algeria on penalties after both won by two goals at home.

Africa flopped on the bigger club stage again, though, with the claim of coach Diego Garzitto that Mazembe could win the FIFA Club World Cup proving ultra optimistic as they finished sixth in a seven-team Abu Dhabi field.

The continent traditionally fares well in world age-limit championships and this trend continued as Ghana won the youth title after a shoot-out with Brazil in Egypt and junior hosts Nigeria finished runners-up behind Switzerland.

In 2006, the Elephants suffered a shattering 4-2 penalty defeat to Egypt in the final in Cairo.

Two years later in Ghana they came up short once again to the Egyptians, losing 4-1 to the defending champions in the semi-finals.

Fast forward to Angola 2010 and theCôte d'Ivoire were sent packing yet again by a side from North Africa, this time Algeria proving their nemesis with the 3-2 extra time quarter-final loss in Cabinda.

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane summed up the disbelief at this latest Africa Cup of Nations' disappointment when he said: "I wasn't surprised by my team, but more by the decline of the Ivory Coast side."

Côte d'Ivoire coach Vahid Halilhodzic was mystified at his multi-millionaire stars' latest example of "choking".

"Great teams do not let a 2-1 lead a few minutes before full-time slip like that," said the Bosnian-born former Yugoslavian international who was suffering his first competitive defeat since taking over Ivory Coast in 2008.

He added; "It is unacceptable. We had opportunities to kill off the match before that and we are all really stunned. We came here with great hopes and as is always the case Ivory Coast has failed to deliver.

"It is imperative that everyone assumes their responsibility for this, me to start with.

"We have five or six really good players but we lost every duel. It is not a physical problem it is a mental one. I do not have all the answers but I am ashamed with regard to how we played and apologise to the Ivorian public who really believed in us."

"Is the problem physical or psychological? It cannot be physical because when you are one goal up with only one minute left, you just sit back and clinch victory. Algeria deserve their victory."

Drogba and his teammates would be wise not to look at the local press in Abidjan, with headlines like "huge disappointment", "broken dream", "sunk" revealing the country's mood.

"Elephants-Fennecs - the end of illusions" wrote Une Fraternite Matin.

Le Patriote pointed the finger at Chelsea star Drogba.

"Who said this generation wasn't dead? Our attack was handicapped by a below-par Didier Drogba... and a midfield lacking in imagination".

One sponsor though was looking on the bright side and to a better performance in South Africa.

"The best is yet to come" stated a full page ad in L'Intelligent.

The Algerian football federation announced that any of its England and Scotland-based players, due to take part in the 2010 African Nations Cup, can only fulfil their club commitments until December 30.

Bougherra can play for Rangers on Sunday against Hibernian, but not against Celtic on January 3 despite pressure from Gers boss Walter Smith.

Algeria, who have also qualified for the World Cup, will take part in the African Nations Cup from January 10-31 in Angola, with the some of the squad due to assemble in the south of France for a training camp from Saturday.

"A training session will also take place from January 1-7 which all players are expected to attend," said a federation source.

In the English Premier League, Portsmouth duo Hassan Yebda and Nadir Belhadj are expected to play on Monday against Arsenal.

At the African Nations Cup, Algeria are in Group A with Angola, Mali and Malawi.

Barnes is in Angola, which is currently hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, to promote England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

"Physically and tactically, they can compete with anyone," Barnes told reporters at a Catholic-run orphanage, where he was running a football clinic. "What they don't have is the psychological aspect of winning."

Besides hosts South Africa, five African nations - Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire - will be competing at the World Cup which begins in June.

The England delegation will be present as observers at the Confederation of African Football Congress before attending the Cup of Nations final two days later.

Four-time champions Ghana take on Nigeria in the semi-finals while defending champions Egypt hope to stay on course for their third straight title when they play Algeria.

The Jamaican-born Barnes said Ghana and Nigeria are strong contenders for the World Cup but they need to believe in their abilities.

"Look at Pele. He said an African team will win the World Cup," Barnes said. "He is African but he is also Brazilian. He has the mental winning strength of a Brazilian. That's lacking here in Africa."

Barnes also addressed Liverpool's struggles in the Premier League, saying he thinks the team can still earn a UEFA Champions League spot despite a poor start to the season. But he urged the club to add more top-quality players.

"Liverpool over-achieved last year," Barnes said. "They need to add more quality. They have (Steven) Gerrard and (Fernando) Torres. It's just not enough."