Saadane - Algeria team spirit strong

12 June 2010 18:58

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane insists his decision to drop captain Yazid Mansouri from the team for Sunday's World Cup Group C encounter with Slovenia in Polokwane has not had an adverse impact on the team.

Saadane made the decision on Thursday after revealing he did not think Algeria's most experienced player at the World Cup was in good enough form. Mansouri reportedly threatened to walk out but has remained with the squad and is expected to be on the bench.

Saadane said: "I think the team has become used to playing a large number of matches with some people missing. It is how the team responds collectively on the day."

He added: "We have always tried to work from a psychological and technical perspective as a team and we will work with the team that is on the pitch on the day."

Source: PA