Fifa's rule changes have enabled Saadane to draft in some French-born Algerians into the squad.

BBC: World Cup 2010: Algeria face tough ask after Irish loss

Saadane, meanwhile, must now make a snap judgement on which of the newer recruits to gamble on.

BBC: World Cup 2010: Algeria face tough ask after Irish loss

The 25-year-old certainly has a presence at the back and may be the best option Saadane has at his disposal.

BBC: World Cup 2010: Algeria face tough ask after Irish loss

Manager Rabah Saadane invited three uncapped France-based players - goalkeeper Mohamed Benhamou, midfielder Fodil Hadjadj and defender Aimen Demai to join the squad.

BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Algeria train in France

Saadane also conceded that Giovanni Trapattoni's men should be the ones travelling to South Africa on the evidence of the home side's performance against his men.

BBC: World Cup 2010: Algeria face tough ask after Irish loss

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane blamed the loss on referee Codjia.

BBC: Algeria 0-4 Egypt

Belaid and Boudebouz were named in a preliminary squad of 25 by Algeria coach Rabah Saadane this month for their pre-World Cup preparations, which start in Switzerland on Thursday.

BBC: World Cup 2010: French trio cleared to play for Algeria

Saadane's decision to delay his team's first World Cup warm-up until just a fortnight before kick-off now appears to have been misguided as his team looked rusty and disorganised in Dublin.

BBC: World Cup 2010: Algeria face tough ask after Irish loss

The triumph is also a personal victory for Algeria coach Rabah Saadane, who was at the helm when Algeria last reached the finals in 1986, while their first appearance was four years earlier.

BBC: Yahia sends Algeria to World Cup

"The referee decided the outcome, " Saadane said.

BBC: Algeria 0-4 Egypt