Algeria coach Rabah Saadane has resigned in the wake of his team’s 3-1 defeat by Morocco in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals.

Mohamed Raouraoua, head of the Algerian Football Federation, confirmed that Saadane would return to his previous position as the federation’s technical director.

Saadane, 57, was appointed last July after Belgian coach Georges Leekens resigned after just five months in the job.

Leading Morocco 1-0 with seconds to go, Algeria were on the brink of a place in the semi-finals, only to concede an equaliser followed by two more goals in extra-time.

Morocco’s 3-1 earned them a place in the last four where they meet Mali. In the other semi-final, Nigeria face hosts Tunisia.