NATIONAL TEAMS - FRIENDLIES - Algeria lose in Qatar, as Ivory Coast celebrate

AFRICA CUP 2015

WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS

• Botswana vs Lesotho 2:0 
• Gabon vs Mali 4:3 
• Indonesia vs Cameroon 0:1 
• Mauritius vs Burundi 2:2 
• Nigeria vs Uganda 0:1 
• Swaziland vs South Africa 1:3 

THURSDAY'S FRIENDLIES

• Egypt vs Equatorial Guinea 1:0
• Ivory Coast vs Angola 2:0
• Qatar vs Algeria 1:0

Algeria lost its first game since exiting the Africa Cup of Nations in the quarter-finals, losing 1:0 to Qatar in a friendly in Doha on Thursday.

Ali Assadalla scored a superb goal after 32 minutes, as he dribbled past several players before a calm finish.

Qatar threatened several times in the first half, and the visitors dominated the second, but rarely looked like finding an equaliser.

The closest they came was a volley from substitute Ishak Belfodil.

The 2022 World Cup hosts are led by former Algeria international Djamel Belmadi.

Elsewhere, Ivory Coast beat Angola 2:0 at home in the Elephants' first match on home soil since winning last month's Nations Cup.

Diarrassouba Viera scored in the first half, before Salomon Kalou struck deep into the second as Ivorian fans had a chance to celebrate their second African crown.

It was also a chance to say farewell to stalwarts Kolo Toure and Boubacar Barry, who were in the squad to say goodbye.

They retired after finally winning the trophy at what was both players' seventh Nations Cup appearance.

In Cairo, Argentine coach Hector Cuper made a winning start to his Egypt career as the seven-time African champions beat this year's Nations Cup hosts Equatorial Guinea 1:0.

The Pharaohs left it late, though, as Zamalek striker Bassem Morsi tapped home with just three minutes left.

On Friday, The Gambia plays Mauritania while Tunisia takes on Japan.