Rematch against Algeria will be war, says Zidan

BENGUELA, Angola: Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan says his team's Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against Algeria on Thursday will be a 'war', which Egypt have to win to prove they deserved to feature at the World Cup.

Egypt failed to qualify for this year's World Cup in South Africa after bitter regional rivals Algeria pipped them 1-0 in a playoff in Sudan after both teams were tied on the same points and goal difference in the qualifiers.

In November, both the World Cup qualifier in Cairo and the subsequent playoff in Sudan witnessed several violent scenes that world football ruling body FIFA is now investigating.