Algeria name squad for Rwanda WC qualifier

Algeria have named the squad which will face Rwanda in the third and final round of the 2010 World/Africa Nations Cup qualifier set for March 28. According to goal.com, the Algerian national team coach Rabah Saadane named a strong 24-man squad, 12 days before the Desert Foxes take on Amavubi Stars in Kigali. The team is evenly distributed between domestic league representatives and European based players, with 12 from each contingent. ES Setif is the best represented Algerian league team, with four players in the list. Saadane had previously released the names of call ups plying their trade in foreign leagues to be certain their teams would all agree to releasing them on time for the ‘Greens’’ training camp that begins on March 22nd. Missing from the list is Olympique de Marseille midfielder Karim Ziani, who is suspended for the encounter due to an accumulation of yellow cards in the previous round of qualifying. Also missing is VfL Bochum defender Antar Yahia, who is still not fully recuperated from injury. Meanwhile, Amavubi Stars has intensified their preparations ahead of their Algeria match. However, coach Branko Tucak will not have enough time to access the quality of professional players as they will only join the camp five days before the game. Professional players expected to join Amavubi camp are; Hamad Ndikumana(AC Omonio), skipper Olivier Karekezi (Ham Kam), Said Abedi Makasi (Difaa El Jadida), Henri Munyaneza (Germinal Beerschot), Jimmy Mulisa (Beveren) and Saddou Boubakary (Libya). The Desert Foxes Squad: Lounès Gaouaoui (USM Annaba, Algeria), Mohamed Benhamou (MC Alger, Algeria), Mohamed Ousserir (CR Belouizdad, Algeria), Slimane Raho (ES Sétif), Mohamed Rabie Meftah (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Madjid Bougherra (Glasgow Ranger FC, Scotland), Rafik Halliche (C.D. Nacional Madeira, Portugal), Sami Zaoui (ASO Chlef, Algeria), Adel Maiza (USM Annaba, Algeria), Abderaouf Zarabi (Nimes Olympique, France), Réda Babouche (MC Alger, Algeria), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth FC, England), Yazid Mansouri (FC Lorient, France), Chérif Abdeslam (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Khaled Lemmouchia (ES Sétif), Lamouri Djediat (ES Sétif), Lazhar Hadj Aissa (ES Sétif), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany), Yassine Bezzaz (RC Strasbourg, France), Hameur Bouazza (Birmingham City, England), Rafik Saifi (FC Lorient, France), Kamel Fehi Ghilas (Celta Vigo, Spain), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens, Greece), Abdelkader Ghezzal (AC Sienna, Italy) Ends

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Algeria name squad for Rwanda WC qualifier