Algeria beats Platinum Stars

Rafik Halliche scored a long-range effort Algiers - Arabstoday Algeria completed their preparations for the 2013 African Cup of Nations with a 4-1 victory over Platinum Stars in Moruleng on Thursday night. Goals from Rafik Halliche, Yacine Bezzaz, Foued Kadir and Sofiane Feghouli saw The Greens overpower the South African Premier Soccer League team. Halliche’s strike was the pick of the bunch, a fine long-range effort which left the Stars goalkeeper stranded. Stars fielded two different sides in either half, mostly using fringe players as they prepare for the second half of the PSL season. Striker Joshua Sauls netted for them from the penalty-spot. Striker Siphelele Mthembu was also denied by a good stop from Algerian goalkeeper Raïs M'Bolhi. Algeria have been using facilities at the Bafokeng Sports Campus to prepare for the 2013 African Cup of Nations. Vahid Halilhodzic's men have been drawn in Group D alongside Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Togo. That group matches will be played at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.