Halilhodzic pens three-year deal as Algeria coach

ALGIERS (AFP) - Vahid Halilhodzic said he was targeting qualification for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2014 World Cup as he was presented as the new coach of Algeria at a press conference on Saturday.

"I've signed a three-year contract," said the Bosnian. "My mission is to qualify Algeria for the (2013) Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.

"I'll do everything to improve the technical performances of this team, which has great potential.

"It's true that it won't be easy, given the time factor, but if I've accepted this challenge, it's to succeed."

Halilhodzic, 59, succeeded Algerian Abdelhak Benchikha, who resigned after a 4-0 defeat by regional rivals Morocco in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Marrakech last month jeopardised their chances of reaching the 2012 event in Gabon and Equitorial Guinea.

The following tournament will take place in 2013, and is currently slated to be held in Libya, after the football authorities decided to re-schedule the Africa Cup of Nations to stop it falling in World Cup years.

Asked if he would leave his post if he failed to meet the expectations of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), Halilhodzic said: "If the team doesn't qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, we'll go our separate ways."