(\~ )7/ A TIMES, SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988k 13

It's a MAROCS$ CAF. struggle H FWAXI to salvage :1 dented prl*de

TO the Algerians, the the Mexico World Cup kick-off of the 16th finals, which led to the Africa Cup of N1ations By ONYANGO firing of coach Rabah finals in Morocco, Saadàne. signifies nothing but yet OMOLO were held to a another struggle for a dull I-I draw by Nor- Belloumi maiden win of this match, and again by thern Ireland in their first Midjr coveted trophy. Since the Zambia, before Group D round one tions Cup for the first Algeria's performance Madjer and Cheri ff Oud- inception of the tourna- Cameroon sealed their match at Estadio 3 de time in 1980, in which in Morocco and the jani, who play profes- ment in Sudan, Algeria, fate by a 3-2 defeat. On Marzo, Guadalaraja, on Algeria finished runners- subsequent qualification sional soccer for Port and 30 years back and despite their way to , June 3, followed by a up. He then played in the for the semis, will largely Racing Paris, respective- being one of tle conti- Algeria had trounced mediocre 0-I defeat by 1982 Cup of Nations and depend on the perfor- ly. appealed nent's soccer, super- Harambee Stars of Kenya Brazil at Jalisco Stadium, was outstanding when mance of Belloumi whose against this and CAF sus- powers they ha,e never by a 3-0 aggregate (0-0, Guadalaraja, on June 6, Algeria won a bronze game has considerably tained their appeal and won the Cup. 3-0) in their last elimina- they dramatically sank medal at the Cote receded because of in- ordered a replay. Algeria The best of rheir ef- tion round match.. against (0-3), at d'lvoire finals in 1984. jury. Belloumi still re- refused to oblige and forts in the tournament And now, once again, Estadio Technologico, He missed Cairo finals mains perhaps the most Tunisia made it to has seen them end up los- the stage is set for the Monterry, on June 12. (1986) due to serious in- gifted player Africa has Nairobi. ing finalists twice-at sixth famous north African With one point from jury but made his second ever produced. He is the In the process, Algeria finals in which Congo soccer nation to renew three games, Saadane's World Cup appearance engine of the team and lost the opportunity to pipped them 1-0, and at hitherto unsuccessful bid team returned home to a later that year in Mexico. when he flops, Algeria host the forthcoming the 11th edition where to capture the trophy. hostile welcome. The He has always declined flops. Africa Cup of Nations, they crashed tc Nigeria Earlier they had triumphs of four years offers to play in Europe, Algeria's performance which Morocco is set to 2-0. Nigeria was the host eliminated Tunisia by a before had left a choosing to remain loyal has also been con- host in a week's time. country. 2-I aggregat. win (1-0, disorganised team whose to his club —Mascara. siderably affected by the The team named for Algeria's next best per- 1-1) in the second round. reputation and fans Another player of current strained relation- Morocco finals has a formance was in 1984 in The team is drawn in demanded too much. distinguished ability in ship between their foot- number of new caps who Cote d'Ivoire where they Group A in Casablanca, the team is left winger ball association and the include Zidane, Menad, were bundled out in the together with hosts Rabah Madjer, of Por- continental soccer body Sandjak. Also in the team semi-finals to eventual Morocco, Elephants of Mastermind tugal's Porto, the Euro- CAF. In fact, it was are players like keepers El winners', Indomitable Cote d'Ivoire and pean champions. Algeria who were suppos- Hadi and Drid, both of Lions of Cametoon. But Leopards of Zaire. They Algeria's strength has, ed to host the 16th finals whom were in Mexico; they won the third place are set to open up against The team which plays however, lain in the before CAF withdrew the Guendouz, Maroc, Kici play-off. Prior to the Core d'Ivoire on March more or less British foot- defence where veteran offer and gave it to Said and Kourichi. Cote d'lvoire finals, 13; and tackle Morocco ball, have stars capable of full-back. Mansouri and Morocco. Algeria Football Algeria managed a semi- on March 16, in what is containing the situation central defender The move adversely af- Association which was final berth at :he Libya expected to be a thriller, at the Morocco finals, en- Megharia make a for- fected the football morale formed in 1955 and finals in 1982, but this in Algeria who of late before winding up their visaged to be the toughest midable partnership. which was affiliated to time finished fcurth after elimination round ever in the history of the Other notables include have failed completely to FIFA in 1958, has to losing the th rd place assignments against Zaire series. Expected to professional players, get their touch of the ear- clubs that include: WK play-off. on March 19. mastermind the team's Rachid Harkouk of ly 80's. It all started when Collo, EPS Setif, Their wors perfor- World Cup finalists in Algeria beat Tunisia on efforts is star midfielder Third Division Notts Mascara, Bergui, Jet - mance in the eiht-nation 1982 and 1986 and win- Lakhdar BeHoumi, 28, County, England, Halim aggregate during the Cup of Champion Club finals was then to come in ner's of the 1978 third All the key man in the team Benmarbrouk of RC Fourth All Afrka Games Winner's in 1981, 1986, when aftr qualify- Africa Games soccer title and one of the greatest Paris France, and Ab- last qualifying match. Mouloudia (Cup of ing for the Egypt finals back home, Algeria have players Africa has dallali Liegon of AC But Algeria had fielded Champion Clubs winners put up a poor s1ow which the material to clinch the produced. Monaco, who plays for &n 196) among others. It saw their efforts thwarted title this time around. Born in 1958, Belloumi Algeria under family is from these major club's in the elimination round. However, the team has made his international name Medjadi. The three On Monday that the bulk of the na- They were helc to a draw never seen any resurgence debut when he was 20 players were all recalled tional team players are by Morocco h the first following the debacle at and competed in the Na- the squad for Mexico. Zaire drawn.