Zaoui's statements came after the Desert Foxes beat Egypt 1-0 in Wednesday's World Cup playoff to reach the quadrennial competition.

The 33-year-old is convinced that winning the qualifying match is an undeniable proof that Algeria are a better team than Egypt.

"The game was a stern challenge because we were facing the African champions, but we proved that we are better than them," Zaoui told MBC.

"Egypt claimed the African Cup of Nations in 2006 and 2008 because we weren't in contention for the title on both occasions.

"If we had participated, they wouldn't have won."