Algeria coach unsure of future
After exiting the World Cup without scoring a goal, Algeria coach Rabah Saadane is unsure if he will remain with the team.
The Algerians finished their tournament with a 1-0 loss to the United States on Wednesday. They lost by the same score against Slovenia in their opening match, and then held England to a 0-0 draw.
"I think there are many people who would like me to go," the 64-year-old Saadane said through an interpreter. "Let's see what the president says once we have reviewed the situation."
Saadane also coached Algeria at its last World Cup appearance 24 years ago, but he said the decision to stay or go was not his.
"I think you should ask the president that question," said Saadane, who returned to the job in 2007 after two spells in the 1980s. "We shouldn't carry our heads in shame, the players have given their very best. This is first time in 24 years we have been to a World Cup and you shouldn't expect miracles."
Although Saadane tried to use the altitude as an excuse for Algeria's poor showing, he accepted that his strikers weren't good enough at the first World Cup to be stage on African soil.
Algeria rarely threatened against the United States after Rafik Djebbour hit the crossbar in the sixth minute.
"We should have done better here," Saadane said. "But there was also the pressure on the strikers. I think they missed a number of opportunities because of the pressure on them. The national team needs to find new players - those rare birds that would be strikers.
"I think in a few years time African teams will be among the best teams in the world."
Defender Madjid Bougherra shared that optimism.
"This team has been together for only 1{ years and there are many positive things about the World Cup," said Bougherra, who plays for Scottish club Rangers. "We need to keep working."
After the match, there was a minor altercation between Algeria substitute Rafik Zaifi and an Algerian journalist, but FIFA said it wasn't planning to pursue the matter.
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