Boosted by their qualification for the 2010 World Cup and helped by the astounding 4-4 thriller between rivals Angola and Mali, the Fennecs are favorites to claim top spot.

Malawi, on the other hand, are looking for their first-ever Nations Cup victory after scraping through to the finals.

It will be an earth-shattering achievement for the Flames should they go through the tough group in Luanda, even though they have shown some resilience against stronger sides en route to Angola.

Kinnah Phiri's team surprisingly beat Egypt in the first qualifying round, before holding the African Champions in Cairo in the build-up for CAN 2010.

Quotes

"I affirm that we are not afraid of Algeria. We've already beaten the champions of Africa as in the 1st round qualifier for the World Cup and we have achieved a draw against Cote d'Ivoire. Our only goal is to qualify for the second round," said Malawi coach Phiri.

"So much depends on our first Cup match against Malawi. Victory is all that counts and we owe to ourselves and our nation to succeed," said Algeria star Karim Ziani.

Team News

Algeria were deprived of the services of their first-choice goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui, who is suffering appendicitis.

However, Rabah Saadane should not worry as stand-in keeper Faouzi Chaouci showed what he can do in the decisive playoff victory over Egypt.

Defender Antar Yahia, who scored the all-important goal against Egypt, is a slight doubt with a knock.

Malawi boss Phiri has no injury concerns.