Algeria Ready For Battle Of African Nati

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Algeria qualified for the African Cup of Nations 2010 in a group that saw one of the most thrilling and tense play-off matches in African Football history. Les Fennecs finished top of their group for Qualification ahead of Egypt, Zambia and Rwanda. In the 6 games during Group C, Algeria defeated Egypt 3-1 and lost to Egyptians 2-0 in that controversial match in Cairo which saw the Algerian team bus targeted by Egyptian fans.  Jimmy Morrissey Jersey The Algerians also beat Zambia 3-1 and drew 0-0 with them in the return fixture. Against the Rwandans, Algeria picked up 6 points with a 2-0 win in Rwanda and a 1-0 win in Algeria. Rabah Saadanes side finished top of  Roy Lopez Jersey the group ahead of Egypt who had an identical record and that secured qualification for the African Nations Cup.The Algerians have a surprisingly poor African Nations Cup record over the years. Algeria didnt qualify in the first five competitions from 1957 to 1965 but did make the first round in the 1968 competition held in Ethiopia. After that, they were back to normal because they didnt qualify for the next 5 competitions until in 1980 they finished 2nd in Nigeria. In 1982 and 1984, Algeria finished 4th and 3rd respectively. After losing out in the first round in 1986 and then 3rd in 1988, Algeria were victorious in 1990, winning the competition on home soil without losing a match. Algeria couldnt retain the title in Senegal after being eliminated in the first round of the tournament. In 1994, Algeria were disqualified from the tournament after fielding an ineligible player in qualifying. 1996 and 1998 saw completely different succe ses in the competition after losing out in the Quarter Finals in 1996 and the first round in 1998. Algeria managed to regain some more pride in the competition with two more Quarter Final places in 2000 and 2004 with a first round elimination in between at the 2002 in Mali. In recent years at the 2006 and 2008 competitions, Algeria failed to qualify.Bougherra In Action For AlgeriaThe draw in November saw Algeria pitched alongside hosts  Sam Cooper Jersey Angola, Mali and  Ka'imi Fairbairn Jersey Malawi. Algeria will take on Malawi in their first group match on January 11th with Malawi qualifying from Group 5 with 4 points in a group alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Guinea. The main man for Malawi that could pose a threat to the Algerian defence is Chiukepo Msowoya who scored 6 goals in qualification. Three days later, Mali provide a tougher test for the North Africans with Frederic Kanoute, Seydou Keita and Mahamadou Diarra in their ranks. The final game in Luanda sees Angola take on the Algerians in what could be a crucial game in deciding who qualifies from the group. The Black Antelopes are ranked 95 in the world and have Manucho to watch out for in their attack.Overall, I think Algeria have a favourable draw and have avoided some of the big guns like Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Ghana. With some very good players in their ranks, Algeria should have enough to see off Malawi and could have enough to see off the hosts Angola. At the end of the 3 games, I think that Mali and Algeria will be the two battling it out for top position. A suming Algeria do qualify, they could face a really  M.J. Stewart Jersey top side and maybe lost out in the Quarter Finals. I wouldnt be too confident in backing Algeria at the bookies but a Quarter or Semi-final place is certainly po sible for them.