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Lounes Gaouaoui Remains Algeria’s First Choice Goalkeeper

The fact that Rabah Saadane uncharacteristically named four goalkeepers in his roster list for Algeria’s June World Cup qualifiers versus Egypt and Zambia does not necessarily indicate more competition at the position…

May 25, 2009 9:01:22 AM

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Rabeh Sadan Coach of Algeria

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Lounes Gaouaoui will be handed Algeria’s gloves in the forthcoming international fixtures, despite being challenged by a greater number of names than expected.

When Algerian national team coach Rabah Saadane announced his squad for the Desert Foxes’ upcoming World Cup qualifiers versus Egypt and Zambia it did not go unnoticed that he had named four goalkeepers instead of the customary three.

During his press conference, Saadane explained the choice by pointing to the fact that Gaouaoui is one yellow card away from an automatic suspension while inadvertently revealing that he still regards him as the country’s first choice ‘keeper.

“I consulted the internet this morning and I saw that teams such as Cameroon, Egypt and Zambia have also called up four goalkeepers so we’re on the right track,” he announced to the room full of reporters. “It’s entirely possible that Gaouaoui gets another card against Egypt. If he’s suspended, I’ll still have three keepers.”

The admission was made prior to Saadane’s latest press conference, in which he broke down in tears before claiming that he feared reprisals from the Algerian public if his team were to be defeated on June 7 versus Egypt.

Rami Ayari, Goal.com

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