African Cup Of Nations Group D Preview: Algeria

Les Fennecs (The Fennec Foxes) are one of the most successful African nations in world football, with three appearances at the World Cup and an African Nations Cup victory in 1990. The 1982 World Cup saw one of the tournament’s more controversial moments, which involved the Algerians.

After a shock 1-0 win for the North Africans over West Germany in the opener, the final group game between the Germans and Austria was poised in such a way that a one or two goal win for Germany would take both them and Austria through to the next round, with any other results knocking one side out. The West Germans went a goal up early on and the rest of the match was the football equivalent of the London 2012 badminton farce.

How Did They Qualify?

They flew through the first round with a 6-2 aggregate win other Gambia. In the second round they had at a trickier tie against Libya. A 1-0 win away was followed by a 2-0 home win with both goals scored in the opening ten minutes.

Manager

Vahid Halilhodži? is an experienced Bosnian manager who has been in charge since 2011. He’s no stranger to African football, having been in charge of the Ivory Coast between 2008 and 2010.

At club level, he won the African Champions League with Raja Casablanca, and then gained promotion to France’s Ligue 1 with Lille in 1998. By the time he left, he had taken the club into the UEFA Cup.

He also won the French Cup with PSG.

Star Men

Madjid Bougherra is a solid centre-back who will be remembered fondly by both Charlton and Rangers fans, where he spent a fair chunk of his career and was particularly successful at the Glasgow club, becoming a fan favourite. Still only 30, he now plays for Lekhwiya in Qatar where he won the league last season.

Bougherra in action for his club side. Courtesy of Doha Stadium Plus Qatar

Ryad Boudebouz is a very impressive young right winger for Sochaux. Boudebouz was born in French to Algerian parents, and despite a call up to France’s Under-21 setup, he has decided to pick his parent’s homeland to represent at senior level.

Hameur Bouazza played for a number of English clubs including Fulham and Watford, and will be fondly remembered by their fans as a pacey winger. His career has faltered a bit since leaving Milwall some time ago, but he is still capable of causing many a full back a few problems.

How Far Can They Go?

One of the tournament’s stronger teams, there is no reason they can’t win it for a second time.