Algeria fit and ready for showdown with Egypt

By Opheera McDoom

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Algeria's players are fully fit and "ready for the war" with Egypt in neutral Sudan on Wednesday when the two teams chase the final African place in the 2010 World Cup, defender Madjid Bougherra said.

After their last match was marred by violence on Saturday in Cairo and with thousands of fans flying in from Algeria and Egypt to see Wednesday's match, a massive security operation has been mounted in Khartoum with 15,000 police on the streets.

"The full team is ready... for the war," Algerian Bougherra, who plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, told Reuters while laughing. "Every player is okay."

He said VfL Bochum defender Antar Yahia would play after doubts he might miss the match because of a thigh injury.

Egypt coach Hassan Shehata, whose side kept alive their hopes of reaching the finals in South Africa thanks to Emad Moteab's header five minutes into stoppage time on Saturday, said he planned to switch tactics on Wednesday.

"(In Cairo) we had to win by two goals so we focussed on attacking," Shehata told reporters. "For the next match we need a totally different tactic because we will be on an equal footing."

Three Algerian players suffered facial cuts when their bus was stoned on their arrival in Cairo last week.

Attacks on Algerian supporters after Saturday's match left 20 injured and Egyptian businesses suffered extensive damage when vandalised in Algiers on Sunday.