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Benchikha takes over as Algeria coach
Abdelhak Benchikha was on Monday named as coach of Algeria following the resignation of Rabah Saadane, the Algerian football federation announced.
Abdelhak Benchikha was on Monday named as coach of Algeria following the resignation of Rabah Saadane, the Algerian football federation announced.
"This nomination comes in response to the federation's desire to have confidence in top Algerian coaches in one part and in another part to ensure the stability of the national team set-up at a moment when it's in the middle of qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012," it said.
Benchikha, 47, previously coached the national 'A' team and will have qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations as his primary objective.
Saadane resigned as coach earlier this month following a disappointing 1-1 draw with minnows Tanzania in a Cup qualifier.
The 64-year-old had been in charge since 2007 and had had his contract extended for another two years only on July 18 after what was seen as a respectable showing at the World Cup where Algeria exited in the first round.
He had also guided them to the semi-finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
However, Saadane, who was also in charge of Algeria at their previous appearance at the World Cup finals in 1986, decided to step down after a meeting with FAF president Mohamed Raouraoua.
