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Algeria coach Leekens quits after Africa Cup of Nations exit

Xinhua, January 25, 2017 Adjust font size:

The coach of Algerian national football team, Georges Leekens has quit his job following his team's failure to make it to the quarterfinals at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament in Gabon.

"It is only fair that I leave the job because we had set targets and some of them have not been achieved," Leekens told Xinhua on Tuesday.

On Monday, Algeria were held to a 2-2 draw against Senegal, a result which kicked them out of the tournament since they had earlier lost 2-1 to Tunisia and drew 2-2 with Zimbabwe.

"For the good of all, I decided to quit even though I do it with heartache," Leekens said.

The Belgian-born coach was appointed in October last year following the resignation of previous coaches Milovan Rajevac and Christian Gourcuff in the same year.

Many had expected Algeria to win the 2017 Afcon following their good showing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the fact that they have top players like Islam Slimani and 2016 African Footballer-of-the-Year Riyad Mahrez who helped Leicester City win the English Premier League title last season. Enditem