United States captain Carlos Bocanegra insists his side will not be using their disappointing exit from the 2006 World Cup as added incentive for the crucial clash with Algeria, although he admits it is in the back of their minds.

In a similar situation to one they are currently facing, the US had the chance to make it through to the last 16 four years ago if they beat Ghana in their final group game.

However, having held eventual winners Italy to a 1-1 draw in their previous match, the Americans slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Ghana to exit the competition.

This time the US know a win over Algeria will guarantee them a spot in the knockout phase no matter what happens in the other game between Slovenia and England, and Bocanegra is determined not to let the opportunity slip by again.

"We obviously we had a bad outing in 2006 and we're not happy how things worked out. We have a great chance to get a win and advance to the second round, it's important for us because we had that disappointment in 2006," he said.

"It's not really an extra motivation but it's in the back of our minds. You work so hard and train so much for the World Cup and it can be over so quickly if you don't advance."

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane knows he needs more from his goal-shy attack if they are to avoid exiting the World Cup.

However, Saadane looks set to keep faith with the same side that played out a scoreless draw against England in their last match.

The Desert Foxes go into the clash in Pretoria lying bottom of Group C but still in with a chance of progressing through to the last 16 with all four teams within three points of each other.

Saadane's side began their competition with a 1-0 defeat to Slovenia, conceding a goal 11 minutes from time, but they bounced back from the disappointment in impressive fashion by holding star-studded England to a 0-0 draw in Cape Town.

And it seems as though Saadane will stick with the same side against the Americans, even though to have any chance of getting into the knockout stages they need to do something they have not managed yet - score a goal.

"About the make up of the team, we have two options," he said. "The first one, which is the most plausible, is that I will use the team that gave a good performance (against England). The second is to perhaps make a change, which would be among the forwards. We will do all we can to pick the best team to take on the United States. We will try to do our best and try to do even better than we did against England to get a good result."