Algeria seal last African place

Anthar Yahia scored a cracking volley for Algeria to give them a 1-0 win in their crucial sudden death play-off with Egypt for the final African place at the World Cup. Wild scenes were sparked at the final whistle as they ended a 23-year wait for glory. Meanwhile, former world footballer of the year, George Weah believes an African team could win next year’s World Cup in South Africa. Africa has emerged as a major source of talent, with players such as Liberian-born Weah, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o playing for some of Europe’s leading clubs. An African team has never advanced beyond the quarter-finals of a World Cup, but Weah said the 2010 tournament could change that. “We hope for that, it’s not impossible. It’s a difficult task but it’s not impossible,” Weah told reporters. “Ghana just won a junior world cup. Why not?”Ghana won Africa’s first ever under-20 World Cup last month. Weah, who won the European and World player of the year in 1995, said discipline and hard work were the keys to success. “Years ago, we couldn’t partake in the awards for the best player of Europe and the world - it happened.“There is a high possibility that an African team can win a World Cup if it can prepare well.” Weah hopes that the new stadiums being built for the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola next year will lay the foundations for stronger African football. “I’m sure all of the infrastructure they leave here will give people jobs, allow children to play in stadiums that are being built,” he said. “A lot of kids don’t have opportunity to play on grass.” Ends

Lifestyle

Algeria seal last African place