The dust has settled. Now, with hindsight, we can have a more realistic look at the track record of the Algerian national team in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Before the World Cup qualifiers, not many people would have put their money on Algeria qualifying among the five best teams in Africa. The stated objective of the Algerian Football Federation was to qualify for the African Cup of Nations. But the Desert Warriors went one better and managed to qualify for the ultimate prize: The World Cup. After twenty-four years of waiting, Algeria’s players had finally hit the jackpot and ensured their participation in the biggest global sporting event. But how did they do in South Africa?