Captain Bougherra bows out after Algeria exit

Majid Bougherra

Madjid Bougherra has retired from international football after Algeria's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations Cup on Sunday.

The Desert Foxes skipper bid farewell to the national team following the 3-1 quarter-final defeat to Ivory Coast in Malabo.

"It's a different life for me now," said the 33-year-old defender.

"Of course you can never say 'I'll never play again' for the national team but in my mind I think it's over. "

Bougherra made his debut for Algeria in 2004 and played at the last two World Cups and at two Nations Cups.

"It's been 11 years and I think the team is ready to be without me. They have experience.

"This team is very young; they have good quality players and I hope that in the next Cup of Nations they are going to win it.

"With (coach Christian) Gourcuff, we have a future in my view," added Bougherra after winning his 70th cap.

"This team is young with an average age of 23-24 years and it will return for many Nations Cups in the future."

Formerly on the books of home town club Gueugnon and later Rangers in Scotland, the France-born defender now plays for Foujairah in the United Arab Emirates.