Emmanuel Petit to Echorouk: “Algeria can go far in 2010 World cup”

The former star of the National French Football squad, Emmanuel Petit, has told “Echorouk” that the Algeria line-up can create the event in the forthcoming World cup tournament in South Africa. According to Emmanuel Petit, the high-level players can do well in such a prestigious football competition if they demonstrate the necessary will and patriotism.

• As regards FIFA, he said that the World football governing body had willingly delayed the announcement of its sanctions against Egypt, because it did not want to “poke its nose” into purely political affairs, as he put it.
•  
• Echorouk:  What is your occupation now as your sporting career is over?
•  
• Emmanuel Petit: Currently, I am working as a sport consultant at the French Television and at the “TF1 TV team” and I am also negotiating a contract with a major Mexican newspaper for the analysis of World cup matches.
•  
• Apart from that, I own a services enterprise based in England from where I am speaking to you. I have now opted for a life far away from football.
•  
• Echorouk: You team-mates have preferred to choose the coaching track. What about you?
•  
• Emmanuel Petit: No, I am not at all interested in becoming a coach because such a profession will undermine my private life which is sacred for me.
•  
• Echorouk:  Have you an idea about the Algerian national squad?
•  
• Emmanuel Petit : Of course, I know the Algeria squad! I watched the decisive Algeria-Egypt World cup qualifier in Sudan, and I was baffled by the level of your international players and by their enormous will on the pitch. I also heard about their mishaps in Cairo, through the media. It’s very shameful that such blameworthy things could happen nowadays in certain countries.
•  
• Echorouk : How do you see the performance of the Algeria line-up in the upcoming World cup tournament?
•  
• Emmanuel Petit: Your national team can do well and even create surprises. I know what I say : patriotism, adamant will and the potency of African teams can work miracles. Who thought that Algeria would defeat Côte d’Ivoire in the latest Africa cup of nations in Angola after being outplayed in their first fixture by the modest team of Malawi …!
•  
• Echorouk : In your opinion, can Algeria defeat England and the USA in the world cup matches?
•  
• Emmanuel Petit: Everything is possible. The England squad has several injured players who will not take part in the World cup contest. It will be more difficult with the squad of the USA who have been on the rise recently. The USA are tipped as among the main favourites to clinch the World cup trophy.
•