Algerian National Team News

[Al-khiyal]

Zambie 0- Algérie 2 :
Merci les Verts !

Samedi 20 Juin 2009 -- L’Algérie a fait samedi 20 juin un grand pas pour la qualification au Mondial sud africain de 2010, en battant la Zambie, chez elle, par deux buts à zéro. Le premier but a été inscrit par Madjid Bougherra de la tête à la 21e et le second par Rafik Saifi à la 65e qui a conclu victorieusement une contre attaque des Verts. Quelques instants plutôt, la défense algérienne sauvait sur sa ligne le but d’égalisation zambien. Grâce à cette victoire, l’Algérie prend une sérieuse option à la qualification au mondial sud africain. Le match face à la Zambie était ans doute le plus difficile en déplacement dans ces qualifications. L’homme du match a été sans conteste Lounès Gaouaoui. L’excellent gardien algérien a sauvé plusieurs fois les Verts et réussi à garder sa cage vierge, permettant à l’Equipe nationale de s’imposer sur le dur terrain de la Zambien.

[Al-khiyal]

Quand les joueurs « émigrés » font la gloire du football national

Samedi 20 Juin 2009 -- L’Algérie s'est imposée, samedi 20 juin, sur le dur terrain de la Zambie (2-0), dans un nouveau match décisif pour les qualifications jumelées au Mondial et à la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations (CAN) 2010. Un exploit qui intervient après la belle victoire remportée le 7 juin contre l’Egypte (3-1) au stade de Blida. On oublie souvent de le souligner : ce retour en force des Verts sur la scène footballistique africaine est l’œuvre de joueurs issus de la diaspora algérienne à l’étranger. Sur les onze joueurs alignés face à l’Egypte et la Zambie, seuls deux, le gardien de but Gaouaoui et le milieu récupérateur Lemouchia jouent dans le championnat national. Les autres évoluent tous en Europe et certains sont nés en France. Les émigrés ont montré qu’ils peuvent contribuer efficacement au retour du football algérien sur la scène mondiale, après plusieurs années d’absence. La présence en force des émigrés dans l’équipe nationale permet à notre football de se relever au moment ou le niveau du championnat national ne cesse de reculer. En battant l’Egypte et la Zambie avec beaucoup de volonté, les « émigrés » ont prouvé leur amour aux couleurs nationales et à l’Algérie.

Les responsables sportifs veulent profiter de la présence en Europe de joueurs talentueux d’origine algérienne pour renforcer l’équipe nationale et lui permettre de retrouver sa place parmi les grandes équipes africaines et pourquoi pas mondiales. D'autres joueurs émigrés devraient rejoindre l'Equipe Nationale dans les prochains mois. Les responsables politiques ont certainement compris combien la diaspora algérienne, jusque là ignorée et peu considérée, peut être utile au développement du pays. Au-delà du football, cette diaspora est capable de faire gagner des dizaines d’années à l’Algérie dans son développement économique et social. À l’image du football national sauvé par les joueurs émigrés, d’autres secteurs notamment économiques comme les hydrocarbures, la santé, la finance, l’investissement, peuvent s’appuyer sur la diaspora pour se développer. L’Algérie dispose à l’étranger de milliers de cadres de haut niveau, formés dans de grandes écoles et universités occidentales. Ces « émigrés » sont prêts à venir participer au développement de leur pays d’origine. Mais les responsables politiques peinent à faire un geste en direction de cette diaspora pour l’intéresser à participer au développement de l’Algérie. Les entreprises publiques notamment préfèrent recruter des coopérants étrangers et boudent systématiquement les cadres algériens vivant à l’étranger.

[Al-khiyal]

La bonne tactique de Saâdane et l’exploit de Gaouaoui

Samedi 20 Juin 2009 -- L’Algérie s’est imposée, samedi 20 juin, sur le dur terrain de la Zambie par deux buts à zéro lors du match comptant pour la 3e journée des qualifications jumelées au Mondial et à la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations 2010. Cet exploit contre l’un des plus sérieux prétendants à la qualification place les Verts en très bonne position pour se qualifier au Mondial sud africain. Dans ce match, l’équipe nationale a été supérieure techniquement. Les Verts ont empêché la Zambie de développer son jeu. Les joueurs zambiens étaient perdus sur le terrain, devant leur public, resté presque muet durant toute la rencontre. Le sélectionneur national Rabah Saâdane a encore une fois triomphé, grâce à une tactique basée sur les balles courtes, la solidarité et le jeu collectif. Les Verts ont tenu bon durant tout le match et montré une bonne condition physique et un moral de fer. L’entraîneur national a également réussi à faire un changement gagnant avec la sortie de Ghezal et son remplacement par l’expérimenter Rafik Saifi à la 60e. Cinq minutes après, Saifi marquait le second but des Verts après une contre-attaque éclaire, très bien menée par les Verts. Malgré la désorganisation de l’adversaire qui a été incapable de trouver des solutions pour pénétrer la défense de l’équipe nationale, la rencontre n’a pas été facile. Les Zambiens ont manqué à plusieurs reprises d’égaliser ou de réduire le score. Le gardien Lounès Gaouaoui a été excellent et arrêté plusieurs balles de but.

[Al-khiyal]

Zambia crash at home to high-flying Algeria

June 20, 2009 -- Algeria have boosted their chances of featuring in next year's World Cup finals when they beat their Zambian counterparts 2-0 at the Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on Saturday.

The north Africans, lifted by their surprise 3-1 home win over regional rivals Egypt two weeks ago, have now picked up seven points from three matches, while this weekend's foes, Zambia, are in second spot on four points. Egypt and Rwanda have a point apiece. The match between these teams has been shifted until next month because Egypt are involved in the on-going FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.

The Algerians took the lead after 21 minutes through Glasgow Rangers star defender Madjid Bougherra. But the goal was almost against the run of play, as their hosts failed to put away the numerous chances they created, with strikers Given Singuluma and Jacob Mulenga the worst offenders.

Algeria then had to soak up some serious pressure as the home team fought hard for an equaliser. But it was the visitors who doubled their lead in the 66th minute when substitute Rafik Saifi found the back of the net after some good work by Rafik Djebbour. Zambia continued to fight for a goal but poor marksmanship proved to be their biggest undoing.

[Al-khiyal]

Algeria set fair for World Cup

June 20, 2009 -- Algeria have won the opening game of the 2010 qualifying weekend. The Desert Foxes secured a fantastic 2-0 win away from home in Zambia. The win gives them seven points from three matches so far and puts them on top of Group C.

Algeria opened the scoring in Chililabombwe through Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra. They then weathered an impressive fight-back from the home team, with several chances for the Chipolopolo going begging.

The Desert Foxes extended their lead on the breakaway in the 66th minute. Substitute Rafik Saifi had an easy finish after great work by Rafik Djebbour. Zambia continued to create chances but they were not able to convert them and the defeat means they lose ground in the race to South Africa 2010.

The other two teams in Group C, Egypt and Rwanda, both with just one point so far, have a game in hand - their match this weekend was postponed because of Egypt's participation in the Confederations Cup.

[Al-khiyal]

Algerian 'Foxes' outwit Zambia for key World Cup triumph

JOHANNESBURG, June 20, 2009 (AFP) — Algeria took a giant stride toward reaching the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by defeating Zambia 2-0 in Chililabombwe on Saturday.

Glasgow Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra put the 'Desert Foxes' ahead on 21 minutes and veteran midfielder Rafik Saidi from French club Lorient snatched the second with 66 minutes gone.

Victory lifted Algeria three points clear of the Zambian 'Copper Bullets' at the top of Group C midway through the final qualifying phase for the first World Cup to be staged by Africa.

Rwanda and reigning African champions Egypt, who have one point each, meet on July 5 in a Cairo fixture delayed by the 'Pharaohs' participation in the Confederations Cup in South Africa this week.

Algeria have home advantage over Zambia and Rwanda in two of their remaining three fixtures and if they continue their good form and win both it will raise their tally to 13 points.

That would leave Egypt needing to win their four fixtures - including one at home to the 'Foxes' - just to finish level on points with Algeria and see first place settled by goal difference.

Those four outings include visits to Rwanda and Zambia so a poor Egyptian World Cup record of making it to the finals only once since qualifiers were introduced in Africa 49 years ago seems set to continue.

Defeat before a sell-out crowd at Konkola Stadium in the northern mining town was a massive blow for Zambia, who had begun dreaming of a place at the South Africa finals after holding Egypt in Cairo and defeating Rwanda at home.

Bougherra struck against the run of play with a clinical finish off a free kick and a Rafik Djebbour-led couterattack ended with Saidi tapping the ball into an empty net.

Zambia coach Herve Renard from France made two half-time substitutions and they continued to dominate possession only to squander good scoring chances, especially in the closing stages.

Kenya edged Mozambique 2-1 in a Group B Nairobi clash carrying greater significance in the race for a top-three finish and a ticket to the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola than the World Cup.

Tunisia and Nigeria, who clash later on Saturday near Tunis, have taken an early stranglehold on the mini-league with Kenya and Mozambique fighting to finish third.

The eliminators cover both competitions with the five group winners joining automatic qualifiers South Africa at the World Cup while the teams finishing first, second and third in each pool enter the Nations Cup with Angola.

Julius Owino gave the 'Harambee Stars' a half-time advantage, Elias 'Dominques' Pelembe levelled early in the second half and McDonald Mariga converted a 73th-minute penalty after being fouled.

[Al-khiyal]

Unstoppable Algeria shut out Zambia

June 21, 2009 -- Algeria beat hosts Zambia 2-0 Saturday (June 20th) at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe to take the lead in Group C of the African/World Cup combined qualifiers and prove that the historic win over Egypt was just the beginning of a spectacular run.

From Bechar to Batna, Saida to Skikda, cities across Algeria turned into a sea of green and white. Streets which had been empty while the match was televised were suddenly filled with jubilant fans.

The dream of seeing the national side make it through to the World Cup – for the first time since 1986 – is now a real possibility.

Despite a whirlwind start from the Copper Bullets, the Algerians skilfully fended off Zambia's attacks. Hervé Renard's players banked on their ability to surprise the Algerians right from the start of the match, but Algeria's defenders stood their ground and gained in confidence, while their forwards began threatening Zambia's defence.

The pressure culminated in the 21st minute when a free kick taken by Marseille midfielder Karim Ziani led to a goal by Glasgow Rangers defender Majid Bougherra. The breakthrough came at just the right moment for Rabah Saadane's men to deal a body blow to their opponents.

Zambia's attacks became more spirited but were all thwarted by the Algerian defence, where goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui reigned supreme and made decisive saves, including one where he used both fists to deflect a powerful shot by Given Singuluma in the 34th minute.

Algeria scored again during the second half, stunning their opponents in the 66th minute. Lorient midfielder Rafik Saifi, who had only just returned to the pitch in a substitution, took advantage of a great pass from Rafik Djebbour to make it 2-0.

The Algerian players then rallied in defence to fend off the ensuing counter-attacks. The strategy paid off; Zambia were visibly affected by Algeria's advances and all their attempts missed the target.

The win confirmed the Greens' pre-match confidence. They were determined to come back home from Zambia with a serious shot at qualifying for the World Cup.

"We now have an opportunity to take pole position in the race to the World Cup," newly-selected Rafik Halliche commented before the match. "We basically have everything it takes to win," he predicted, drawing inspiration from the team's stunner over Egypt.

In the run-up to the Saturday showdown, the rival coaches waged psychological warfare.

Zambia coach Renard [which means 'fox' in French], joked about his name and said that the difference between him and Saadane was that only one of them was a real fox (Saadane had previously claimed to be a "fox and a half"). Renard said Algeria would "come up against a dead end in Zambia".

He was wrong.

Algeria now have seven points from three matches, three more than Zambia. The other Group C squads, Rwanda and Egypt, each have one point from two games. The group winners will qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.