ABDELHAK BENCHIKHA IS APPOINTED COACH OF ALGERIA

By NBF News
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Algeria went out of the World Cup finals at the group stage

Algeria have named caretaker manager Abdelhak Benchikha as coach of the national team on a permanent basis.

He had been in charge since Rabah Saadane quit on 4 September after the team's 1-1 home draw with Tanzania in a 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

Benchikha, 47, was previously coach of Algeria under-17 squad.

Saadane took charge three years ago and steered Algeria to this year's World Cup finals in South Africa, ending a 24-year wait.

However, Algeria went out in the group stage after a draw against England and losses to Slovenia and the United States.

The Algerian Football Federation said Benchikha was appointed to “put faith in top-level Algerian coaches” and to “ensure stability of the national team set-up” during qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations.