Algeria drops out-of-form captain Mansouri

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane has dropped captain Yazid Mansouri for the team's World Cup opener against Slovenia on Sunday because his form is not good enough.

The veteran midfielder trained with his teammates at Algeria's camp south of Durban on Thursday but did not comment. Algerian media reported that he had threatened to quit the team after hearing the news.

Midfielder Medhi Lacen, who will replace the captain in midfield, said Mansouri struggled to accept the decision after being told Wednesday.

``It is very difficult for him,'' Lacen said. ``He is unhappy.''

Mansouri, who has appeared 67 times for Algeria since making his debut in 2001, plays for Lorient in France and had a period on loan to Coventry City in 2003.

Saadane said Lacen and Portsmouth midfielder Hassen Yebda are in better form than Mansouri and deserve a start.

``It was difficult for Mansouri because he is such an important player in this team, `` Saadane said. ``But I am at the World Cup and I have to make a decision based on tactics and football. He is not the best at the moment.''

Lacen, who plays for Racing Santander in Spain, said he felt for Mansouri.

``But I can't tell the coach I won't play because I want Yazid to play,'' he said.

Algeria is expected to struggle to qualify from Group C, where it also faces England and the United States. The prospect of tough matches against those two teams makes the opener against Slovenia in Polokwane vital for both teams.

``It is very important to get a win if we want a chance to qualify for the next round,'' striker Rafik Djebbour said.

Saadane said he expects it to be hard to score against Slovenia's well-organized defense.

``They are very tight at the back and that will make it extra difficult for us,'' he said.

This is only Algeria's third World Cup and its first in 24 years and it has never progressed beyond the first round.

It had a stunning World Cup debut in 1982, when it beat West Germany 2-1 and Chile 3-2 but was eliminated after losing 2-0 to Austria. Four years later the team lost to Brazil and Spain and drew with Northern Ireland.

However Algeria showed its pedigree by beating Egypt in a playoff to reach this World Cup. Egypt went on to win this year's African Cup of Nations.