Waseige signs Algeria deal

Belgian Robert Waseige has signed a deal to coach Algeria

Former Belgium coach Robert Waseige has finally signed a contract to coach Algeria.

Waseige, who took Belgium to the second round of the 2002 World Cup, will have the immediate task of leading Algeria in the 2006 World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The 65-year-old had been tipped to take over the Desert Foxes in March but he instead stayed to try and help Belgian first division team Charleroi avoid relegation.

According to Algeria's football federation Waseige has described Algeria as "a hotbed of football."

Mohamed Raouraoua, the federation's president, co-signed Waseige's contract during a ceremony on Monday in Algiers.

Waseige replaces Algerian Rabah Saadane who resigned after a 3-1 loss to Morocco in the African Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Tunisia.

Algeria have been drawn in Group Four 2006 qualifiers along with Angola, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The Desert Foxes first match in the campaign is against Angola in the first of their qualifiers on June 5 in Annaba.