ALGERIA coach Rabah Saadane refused to blame goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi for the blunder which handed Slovenia their first points at a World Cup with a 1-0 Group C win in Polokwane yesterday.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni was in bullish mood after seeing his side dispose of World Cup finalists Algeria with the minimum of fuss.

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra is sweating over his fitness ahead of the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer.