Algeria coach Rabah Saadane hopes more African national teams will soon start working with coaches from the continent.

Africa is hosting its first World Cup, but Saadane is the only coach from the continent among the tournament's 32 teams.

"There are a lot of skills on this continent," Saadane said Saturday on the eve of his team's opening match against Slovenia. "It's about time that we trust more in our own skills."

Five more African teams are competing at the World Cup but they are led by four Europeans and a Brazilian. Nigeria is coached by Lars Lagerback of Sweden, Ghana by Milovan Rajevac of Serbia, Cameroon by Paul le Guen of France, Ivory Coast by Sven Goran Eriksson of Sweden and South Africa by Carlos Alberto Peirrera of Brazil.

"I am very proud to be from this continent," Saadane said. "Africa is changing and developing a lot. We've come a long way."

The 64-year-old Saadane has led Algeria since 2007 after having several stints as national coach before.

Saadane said it's advantageous for each team to be coached by someone "from the same cultural background and with the same mentality. For players, it's easier to adapt themselves to such a coach."

As it is the first World Cup in Africa, expectations are high for all its teams to do well.

"It's pressure but it's positive pressure for us," said Algeria captain Anther Yahia, who added that his team "should not fear any opponent."

"We get a lot of support from all African countries, as well as from many Algerians living in France. That helps us to prepare mentally. We are proud to represent all Algerians."

Saadane was also confident his team would be able to handle the pressure in a group that also includes England and the United States.

"I don't like to make forecasts of any kind," Saadane said. "We have difficult matches coming up, but we are just very proud to be here at the World Cup and we'll learn a lot."

Saadane acknowledged that Algeria is not expected to advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.

"It's no problem if other teams consider us to be the weakest," the coach said. "I can only say that if we have any weaknesses, the spirit of our team will take us forward. Our morale is just great."

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