Rabah Saadane has named his 23 man squad for the African Nations Cup in January which includes 4 British-based players and 10 foreign-based players. However, there is no place for Hull City striker Kamel Ghilas in the 23 man squad or the 4 reserve places. Saadanes Algerian side will take on Angola, Mali and Malawi in their group matches. They will be based in Southern France until January 7th when they will arrive in the Angolan capital for
Washington Capitals Jersey the start of their tournament on January 11th.Ziani in action for MarseilleSaadane has chosen a side that will adapt to the harsh climate of Angola which includes midfielder Karim Ziani who I have chosen as the star player for Algeria. Ziani, who plays his club football in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, is a stocky, aggre sive little figure who has a fantastic pa sing range and is the playmaker in this Algerian side. With 46 International caps and numerous Champions League and UEFA Cup appearances in his time with Wolfsburg and Marseille. Zianis industry and aggre sion will be key for Algeria, in a team that relies upon hard-work and spirit that Ziani provides in abundance.Madjid Bougherra is a player that is probably familiar to you.
Mike Gartner Jersey The 27 year-old has played in the UK with Crewe, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and now with Rangers. There has been much debate in Glasgow about Bougherras commitment to Rangers after being late three times after spells with the Algerian National Team and manager Walter Smith tried in vain to secure his appearance for the Old Firm derby on Sunday, but the Algerian FA refused. In a right-back position, Bougherra provides pace and power with the elegant dribbling he is famed for as a central defender.
Nicklas Backstrom Jersey The key attacker for Algeria is 25 year-old Abdelkader Ghezzal who plays his football with Italian side Siena. Ghezzal is new to international football with only 10 caps to his name. He scored his first International goal against Benin and the 6ft striker made his debut for Algeria in 2008.
Here is the Algerian squad:Goalkeepers: Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Fawzi Chaouchi (ES Setif), Mohamed Amine Zemmamouche (MC Algiers)Defenders: Slimane Raho (ES Setif), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers/Scotland), Rafik Halliche (Nacional/Portugal), Anthar Yahia (Bochum/Germany), Samir Zaoui (ASO Chlef), Abdelkader Laifaoui (ES Setif), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth/England), Reda Baabouche (MC Algiers)Midfielders: Ha sen Yebda (Portsmouth/England), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient/France), Khaled Lemmouchia (ES Setif), Mourad Meghni (Lazio/Italy),
Evgeny Kuznetsov Jersey Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg/Germany), Karim Matmour (Boru sia Monchengladbach/Germany), Yacine Bezzaz (Strasbourg/France), Hameur Bouazza (Blackpool/England), Djamal Abdoun (Nantes/France)Forwards: Rafik Saifi (Al-Khor/Qatar), Abdelkader Mohamed Ghezzal (Siena/Italy), Abdelmalik Ziaya (ES Setif)Reserves: Mohamed Ou serir (CR Belouizdad), Mohamed Meftah (JS Kabylie), Hocine Metref (ES Setif), Chadli Amri (Mainz/Germany)Saadane normally prefers a 4-4-2 system with Bougherra and Belhadj providing alot of width with their
Lars Eller Jersey pace a major threat to the opposition. Les Fennecs are based upon a solidity that is helped by the dominant triangle in defence that consists of Goalkeeper Gaouaoul and the two central defenders Halliche and Yahia. The Algerians adopt a diamond-midfield with the Captain Yazid Mansouri in the holding role, Yebda of Portsmouth and playmaker Karim Ziani as the two middle midfielders with Mourad Meghni of Lazio at the top of the diamond. Ghezzal and veteran Rafik Zaifi who has 55 caps are the two in attack for Algeria.
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