Goalkeeper Robert Green paid the price for his blunder against the United States as he was replaced by David James for the World Cup meeting with Algeria in Cape Town.

ALGERIA will be forced to field a depleted side against Republic of Ireland in tonight’s friendly in Dublin after striker Karim Matmour joined Madjid Bougherra and Hassan Yebda on the injured list this week.

TOURNAMENT favourites Ivory Coast were held to a goalless draw by a stubborn Burkina Faso in their opening African Nations Cup Group B match at the Estadio do Cabinda last night.