02.06.2010- Bayern's Turkey star Altintop extends contract

02.06.2010- Barcelona make official bid for Arsenal's Fabregas

02.06.2010- Marseille ready to splash out on Forlan: report

02.06.2010- Former Croatia defender Kovac hangs up his boots

02.06.2010- Redknapp expects Cole to snub Spurs

02.06.2010- Real's Mourinho eyes Gerrard: report

02.06.2010- Bent anguish at England axe

02.06.2010- Red Knights decide to halt United takeover bid

02.06.2010- Cannavaro signs for Dubai's Al-Ahli

02.06.2010- S.Africans learn tongue twister national anthem

04.05.2010- No surprises in Algeria's pre-World Cup squad

18.02.2010- Togo must wait on cup ban ruling, says sports court

14.02.2010- Togo appeals against cup ban

04.02.2010- I thought everyone would die: Togolese midfielder

31.01.2010- Supersub Gedo the hero as Egypt retain African crown

31.01.2010- Supersub Gedo the hero as Egypt retain African crown

30.01.2010- Champions Egypt, youthful Ghana clash in Cup climax

30.01.2010- Egypt's Motaeb doubtful for Nations Cup final

30.01.2010- CAF suspend Togo for next two Africa Cup of Nations

30.01.2010- World Cup finalists to battle for bronze in Benguela

29.01.2010- World Cup finalists battle for bronze in Benguela

29.01.2010- Stern Shehata one win away from African record

29.01.2010- Ugly wins are beautiful for Ghana coach Rajevac

29.01.2010- We are in Angola to win the title - Egypt

29.01.2010- Egypt prepare for Ghana in Nations Cup final

28.01.2010- Ghana down Nigeria, into Africa Cup of Nations' final

28.01.2010- Fierce rivals Egypt and Algeria do battle again

28.01.2010- Ghana target Nigeria in west African derby

27.01.2010- Over 2,000 Algeria, Egypt fans jet in for semi-final

27.01.2010- Malawi mauling helped us, admits Algeria captain

26.01.2010- Organisers relaxed over Egypt vs Algeria security

25.01.2010- Goalkeeper Enyeama takes 10-man Nigeria into semis

25.01.2010- Egypt down Cameroon in Nations Cup to set up Algeria rematch

25.01.2010- Mozambique not firing coach: official

24.01.2010- Algeria stun Nations Cup favourites Ivory Coast in thriller

24.01.2010- Cameroon's Eto'o wants to halt Egypt humiliation

23.01.2010- Ghana protest raises temperature ahead of Angola clash

23.01.2010- Rusty Ivory Coast tackle angry Algeria

24.01.2010- S.Africans warm to Nations Cup and fancy Angola

23.01.2010- Zambia coach open to offer from big African team

23.01.2010- Angola face biggest game ever against Ghana

22.01.2010- Ghana upset at disgraceful Angolan intimidation

22.01.2010- Algeria's Saadane: I have nothing to prove

21.01.2010- Zambia derail highrollers Gabon to make last eight

21.01.2010- Draw lifts comeback kings Cameroon into last eight

21.01.2010- Mozambique coach Nooij to go: state radio

21.01.2010- Zambia go for broke against Gabon

20.01.2010- Odemwingie strikes twice as Nigeria reach last eight

20.01.2010- Egypt cruises to record with victory over plucky Benin

20.01.2010- Togo attack could have been avoided - COCAN

20.01.2010- Benin out to shock mighty Egyptians

20.01.2010- Ghana breathe easier, Mali protest, Togo keeper stable

19.01.2010- Mali protest over Angola, Algeria non-match

18.01.2010- Ghana sweat on Essien for must-win Nations Cup game

18.01.2010- Angola, Algeria into Nations Cup quarters

18.01.2010- Meaningless win for Mali as they go out with Malawi

17.01.2010- Cameroon edge Zambia in Cup of Nations thriller

17.01.2010- Gabon take huge step towards last eight after Tunisia draw

17.01.2010- Angola coach rejects draw option against Algeria

15.01.2010- Algeria press turn their backs on national team

14.01.2010- Algeria first World Cup team to win in Angola

14.01.2010- Algeria defeat Mali to boost Cup of Nations hopes

14.01.2010- Mali, Algeria eager to atone for bumpy Cup starts

14.01.2010- Mali, Algeria, eager to atone for bumpy Cup starts

13.01.2010- Algeria, on the ropes: coach

11.01.2010- Malawi beat disappointing Algeria 3-0

11.01.2010- Algeria loom for miracle workers Mali

11.01.2010- We must defeat Malawi, says Algeria playmaker Ziani

Algeria's star midfielder Khalid Lemmouchia, seen here in December 2009, has quit the Africa Cup of Nations. The official explaination was family reasons but sources close to the squad suggest he was upset at being left out of the team by coach Rabah Saadane.

Algeria face a must win game against Mali later Thursday to keep their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals alive after a shock opening loss to Malawi on Monday.

The Algerian Football Federation reported in a statement: "The coach has given Khalid Lemmouchia permission to leave for family reasons."

But a source close to the Desert Foxes told AFP: "In fact he has left because he was very unhappy at not being picked and knows he is not going to play again on Thursday."

Lemmouchia, who plays his club football for Algerian champions Setif, was instrumental in helping Algeria qualify for the World Cup where they are drawn in the same first round group as England.