Three-time World Footballer of the Year, Zinedine Zidane has predicted that Algeria will qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Despite Algeria’s failure to beat Rwanda in the opening match of the third round of the World Cup qualifying tournament, Algeria could still make their way to next year’s World Cup finals, according to ex-France national team captain. According to goal.com, Zidane was quoted by Algerian newspapers telling Algeria coach Rabah Saadane that he has closely followed the results of the team in their qualification campaign and he is confident they could still book their ticket to South Africa 2010. “Algeria should win not only the next game at home but all their qualifying games. If this is done, then Algeria will qualify for the World Cup,” Zidane said. Zidane won the World Cup with France in 1998, scoring twice in the final against defending champions Brazil. The North Africans last featured at the World Cup finals in 1986. However, their qualifying group is still very wide open after African champions and fierce rivals Egypt were held to a 1-1 draw in the other group game in March. All four teams have thus recorded a point apiece. In continuation of the qualifying series, Algeria will host Egypt on June 7 while Rwanda play away to Zambia on June 6. Ends
