Algerian National Team News

[Al-khiyal]

En prévision du match Algérie-Sénégal :
Saâdane convoque 22 joueurs

Mercredi 27 Août 2008 -- L'entraîneur national Rabah Saâdane a convoqué 22 joueurs en prévision du match Algérie-Sénégal, prévu le 5 septembre prochain, pour le compte des éliminatoires de la CAN et du Mondial-2010. Saâdane a reconduit le même effectif, avec le rappel notamment de Saïfi et Hamdani qui étaient blessés. Hamdani effectuera ainsi son retour après avoir participé au tout premier match de ces éliminatoires. En plus de ces 22 joueurs, Saâdane a fait appel à quatre autres joueurs réservistes. Il s'agit de Segueur, Yacef, Bouâaza et Detouche.

Le prochain stage des Verts débutera le 31 août et se terminera le 6 septembre, soit le lendemain du match. Pour ce qui est de la domiciliation du match, ce dernier devrait se dérouler à Blida. Le stade Mustapha Tchaker avait été fermé pour réhabiliter sa pelouse, détériorée par un parasite. L'entraîneur national adjoint Zoheir Djelloul se rend presque quotidiennement à Blida pour s'enquérir de l'état de la pelouse. Pour rappel, Saâdane avait opté pour le stade de Annaba; mais pour différentes considérations, l'équipe nationale devrait évoluer à Blida.

Les joueurs convoqués : Gaouaoui - Ousserir - Benhamou - Zarabi - Belhadj - Meniri - Raho - Antar Yahia - Zaoui - Helliche - Bouguerra - Abdeslam - Mansouri - Lemouchia - Djediat - Ziari - Hamdani - Bezzaz - Hemani - Saïfi - Ghilès - Djebbour.

Les joueurs préservés: Debouche - Yacef - Segueur - Bouâaza.

[Al-khiyal]

Algeria's Saifi ready for Senegal match

August 28, 2008 -- Algerian international midfielder Rafik Saifi of French club FC Lorient confirmed to Planète Sport Wednesday (August 27th) that he will play in the African/World Cup qualifier match against Senegal September 5th in Blida. Saifi was injured August 19th during Algeria's friendly match against UAE.

[Al-khiyal]

Senegal names squad for World Cup qualifier against Algeria

August 29, 2008 -- Senegal’s national football team manager Lamine Ndiaye on Friday named a 22-man squad for the resumed 2010 World Cup/African Nations Cup match against Algeria on 5 September in Blida.

The full list:

Goalkeepers: Tony Mario Sylva (Trabzonsport, Turkey), Bouna Coundoul (Colorado Rapids, USA), Pape Laye Coulibaly (St-Etienne, France). Defenders: Pascal Mendy (Kaunas, Lituania), Abdoulaye Diagne Faye (Newcastle, England), Pape Malickou Diakhaté (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Ibrahima Faye (Troyes, France), Ibrahima Sonko (Reading, England), Massamba Lô Sambou (Le Havre, France), Cheikh Guèye (Metz, France). Midfielders: Kader Mangane (Rennes, France), Nguirane Ndaw (Nantes, France), Issiar Dia (Nancy, France), Ousmane Ndoye (FC Vaslui, Romania), Salif Diao (Stoke city, England), Frédéric Mendy (Bastia, France). Strikers: Papa Waigo Ndiaye (Fiotrentina, Italy), Henri Camara (Wigan, England), El Hadj Diouf (Sunderland, England), Mbaye Lèye (Zulte Waragem, Belgium), Babacar Guèye (Metz, France), Mamadou Sougou (Academica Coimbra, Portugal).

[Al-khiyal]

Senegal drop Beye from World Cup squad

August 31, 2008 (Reuters) - Senegal have dropped Newcastle United defender Habib Beye for Friday's World Cup qualifier in Algeria, the Senegalese APS news agency reported. Coach Lamine Ndiaye told reporters Beye had been left out after missing Senegal's friendly in Libya on August 20, when he pulled out of the game citing injury and then played an entire match for his club in the English Premier League against Bolton Wanderers three days later. Senegal lead Group Six in the African zone by two points from Algeria, who host Friday's match in Blida.

[Al-khiyal]

No room for Senegal's Niang

August 31, 2008 -- The much anticipated return of Olympique Marseille striker Mamadou
Niang to the Senegal side will not happen on Friday when the West African seek to tie up top place in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying group against Algeria.

Niang has been absent since the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in January, after telling the Senegal FA he no longer wished to be considered for selection.

But a reported recent change of heart from the prolific scorer has still not persuaded coach Lamine Ndiaye to pick him for the key Group Six clash against Algeria in Blida.

Instead Ndiaye will again look to the veteran pairing of El Hadji Diouf and Henri Camara for the hoped-for-win which will ensure Senegal's progress to the last phase of the African qualifiers for the 2010 finals in South Africa.

Dropped is defender Habib Beye but veteran midfielder Salif Diao has kept his place after earning a surprise recall for the friendly in Libya on 20 August, which ended in a goalless draw.

Goalkeepers: Pape Laye Coulibaly (St Etienne, France), Bouna Coundoul(Colorado Rapids, USA), Tony Sylva (Trabzonspor, Turkey)

Defenders: Pape Malickou Diakhaté (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Abdoulaye Diagne Faye (Stoke City, England), Ibrahima Faye (Troyes, France), Cheikh Guèye (Metz, France), Massamba Lô Sambou (Le Havre, France), Pascal Mendy (FK Kaunas, Lithuania), Ibrahima Sonko (Stoke City, England)

Midfielders: Issiar Dia (Nancy, France), Salif Diao (Stoke City, England), Babacar Guèye (Metz, France), Kader Mangane (Rennes, France), Frédéric Mendy (Bastia, France), Nguirane Ndaw (Nantes, France), Ousmane Ndoye (FC Vaslui, Romania)

Strikers: Henri Camara (Wigan Athletic, England), El Hadj Diouf (Sunderland, England), Mbaye Lèye (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Papa Waigo Ndiaye (Fiorentina, Italy), Mamadou Sougou (Academica Coimbra, Portugal).

[Al-khiyal]

Algeria's Saadane calls final squad for Senegal qualifier

August 31, 2008 -- Algerian national coach Rabah Saadane called up 22 players for the September 5th African/World Cup qualifier against Senegal. The final roster for the Blida match includes Karim Ziani of Marseille, Nadir Bekhadj of Lens, Rafik Saifi of Lorient, Madjid Bougherra of Glasgow Rangers and five footballers from ES Setif.

[Al-khiyal]

Algeria improves standing in FIFA September ranking

Dakar, Senegal, September 3, 2008 (APA) Algeria has shot up in the African monthly ranking of the International Football Federation (FIFA) after winning four places up from last month’s standings, according to the world football governing body’s statement released on Wednesday.

Hence, the Fennecs (Algeria’s national team) stood 76th in the world standings and 17th in Africa.

Gabon secured the second best performance with 12 places ahead, from the 62nd to 74th position in the world rankings and 12th in Africa.

These performances did not, however, alter the continental "Top 10".

Gabon is followed by Ghana (20th), Egypt (21st), Cote d’Ivoire (23rd), Nigeria (27th), Morocco (37th), Guinea (41st), Tunisia (44th), Senegal (45th), and Mali (47th).

The FIFA September standings feature 52 African countries, with Europe champions Spain atop with 200 points more than Italy (+1) who pushed Germany (3rd, -1) down to grab the second slot.

The next FIFA standings will be issued on 8 October, on the eve of the sixth and last day of the combined Afriacn Cup of Nations/World Cup 2010 qualifiers

The fifth day will be played at the weekend.