Seven months before the tournament, Algeria skipper Yazid Mansouri accepts that his team are playing for second place behind England in their group in South African next year.

Having come through the stormy test of their play-off with Egypt, Algeria head into their first finals in 24 years, hoping to reach the knock-out phase for the first time in their history.

Blocking their path are England, Slovenia and the United States and Mansouri, who had a spell on loan at Championship side Coventry in 2003, feels that Fabio Capello’s team should walk through the group.

But he is adamant there is no need for Rabah Saadane’s team to feel they are punching above their weight against Group C’s other two teams, particularly with confidence so high after the Egypt victory.

“The group is not easy, but Algeria have a chance to go through to the next round,” the Lorient midfielder told skysports.com.