WC2010 - Knee injury rules Meghni out

Algeria midfielder Mourad Meghni has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury.

Meghni is now set to undergo surgery to fix the problem with the news coming after a meeting with the medical team, including doctor Hakim Chalabi, coach Rabah Saadane and Mohamed Raouraoua, the president of the Algeria Football Federation (FAF).

Meghni said he still felt part of the team and wished the players all the best for the tournament. He added: "The manner in which I was informed about it and the sadness on the face of the FAF president somehow comforts me a bit because it showed me that I'm in a family.

Int'l - Ivory Coast sack coach Halilhodzic

Halilhodzic took over in 2008 and steered them to World Cup qualification but the 57-year-old has paid the price for their quarter-final elimination by Algeria.

Speculation is rife Hiddink will steer the Ivory Coast in South Africa. The Dutchman is under contract with Russia until the summer, when he will take over as Turkey coach. However, Hiddink recently revealed Didier Drogba, who he managed at Chelsea last season, has pleaded with him to take charge.

ACN Group A result - Malawi v Algeria

Malawi 3 - 0 Algeria
Malawi - R. Mwafulirwa (17min), I.B. Kafoteka (35min), D. Banda (48min)

Intl - FIFA call crisis meeting

President Sepp Blatter has called a crisis meeting of FIFA chiefs following Republic of Ireland's controversial World Cup exit at the hands of France.

But the world governing body is not considering a U-turn over its decision to refuse a replay.

The meeting will also deal with the violence sparked by Egypt and Algeria's World Cup play-off and the hundreds of arrests across Europe by officers investigating corruption in football.

World Cup 2010 - Algeria grabbed Africa's last spot

Centre-half, Antar Yahia, spectacular volleyed goal five minutes before half-time and a solid rearguard effort saw Algeria grabbing Africa's final spot for next year World Cup finals.

Algeria 1 - 0 Egypt
Algeria - A. Yahia (40min)

World Cup 2010 - Group 3 (Africa)

Rwanda 0 - 0 Zambia

Egypt 2 - 0 Algeria
Egypt - A. Zaki (2min), E. Mete (90min)