Qualifying campaign: Algeria easily defeated Gambia 6-2 on aggregate in the first qualifying round before beating Libya 1-0 and 2-0 over two legs in the decisive qualifier to reach the CAN. History: Algeria won CAN once in 1990 on home soil and finished third in 1984 and 1988. They made three World Cup appearances in 1982, 1986 and 2010. Expectations: Algeria have a sparkling generation of talented individuals but the challenge is moulding them into an effective unit. The side have suffered from inconsistency but are beginning to attain more stability and have resultantly risen up the FIFA standings to become the second-best ranked African country. Few give them a chance, however, of verifying that position in South Africa. FIFA ranking:19 (2 in Africa). Achievements: CAN winners in 1990 Made three World Cup appearances in 1982, 1986 and 2010 Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic (Bosnia) Vahid Halilhodzic is a former Yugoslavia international who moved to France during his playing days and stayed for a coaching career at OSC Lille, Stade Rennes and Paris St Germain. The 60-year-old coached the Ivory Coast at the 2010 Nations Cup and lost his job after they were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Sven Goran Eriksson took his place for the World Cup in South Africa. Key players: Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia). Age: 23. Pos: Midfielder Named Algeria's Footballer of the Year for 2012 for his performances at club level in Spain and for Algeria, for whom he debuted in late 2011 after first playing for France at under-21 level. An attacking midfielder whose career started at Grenoble. Foued Kadir (Olympique Marseille). Age: 29. Pos: Midfielder Signed by Marseille at the start of the month on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Valenciennes. Was among a wave of French-born players called up by Algeria just before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he played all three games for the north Africans. Djamel Mesbah (AC Milan). Age: 28. Pos: Defender One of 10 players in the Algerian squad born in the country, although he grew up in France and started his professional career across the border in Switzerland. Joined AC Milan from Lecce last January on a four-year deal but has not been able to command a regular first-team place at the club. Full squad: Goalkeepers: 1- Azzeddine Doukha (USM Harrach), 23- Rais Mbolhi (Kryla Sovetov Samara), 16- Cedric Si Mohammed (JSM Bejaia) Defenders: 4- Essaid Belkalem (JS Kabylie), 3- Liassine Cadamuro (Real Sociedad), 21- Faouzi Ghoulam (St Etienne), 5- Rafik Halliche (Academica Coimbra), 12- Carl Medjani (AC Ajaccio), 6- Djamel Mesbah (AC Milan), 2- Mehdi Mostefa (AC Ajaccio), 22- Ali Rial (JS Kabylie) Midfielders: Djamel Abdoun (Olympiakos), 11- Hameur Bouazza (Real Santander), 7- Ryad Boudebouz (Sochaux), 10- Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), 17- Adlene Guedioura (Nottingham Forest), 14- Foued Kadir (Valenciennes), 8- Medhi Lacen (Getafe), 18- Khaled Lemmouchia (Club Africain), 20- Saad Tedjar (USM Alger) Strikers: 15- Hilal Soudani (Vitoria Guimaraes), 9- Islam Slimani (Chabab Belouizdad), 13- Mohamed Amine Aoudia (Entente Setif), Ishak Belfodil (Parma). (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/62106.aspx
