Former Belgian coach George Leekens has been confirmed as the new man in charge of Algeria.

The Algerian news agency APS reported that the coach has signed a two year contract.

The 53-year-old Leekens took Belgium to the 1998 World Cup, and has been in charge of Belgians sides Bruges, Anderlecht, Mouscron and Lokeren as well as Dutch club Roda JC Kerkrade.

His first match with the Desert Warriors will be on 25 January when they travel to Kampala to play Uganda.

The Algerian national team, whose biggest achievement was beating West Germany in the 1982 World Cup, has been far from its best in recent years.

They won the African Nations Cup in 1990, and although they have been regular participants in the finals since then, have failed to make a major impression.

Algeria have changed coaches frequently in their search for success.

Former star player Rabah Madjer failed to turn things around, and was sacked after publicly criticising FA officials.