Algeria will play two international friendlies against Burundi and Mali ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, it has been confirmed. 

Both matches will take place in Doha, Qatar which is where the Desert Foxes will travel to on June 8th after meeting in Sidi Moussa on June 3rd.

The match against Burundi will commence on June 11th, whilst the game against Mali will happen on June 16th. Algeria will then travel to Egypt on June 18th for the tournament.

Algeria have faced Burundi four times in total, winning three, drawing one and losing none. The last meeting between the two sides was in 2001, which Algeria won 1-0. Algeria last played Mali in 2014 when Christian Gourcuff was in charge. Mali won that game 2-0.

Djamel Belmadi has good knowledge of the facilities in Qatar, having worked there for a number of years as their national team manager. It is also where Baghdad Bounedjah plays his club football with Al Sadd.

Riyad Mahrez will be taking on Saido Berahino in preparation for the competition which begins on June 21st, and then Yacine Brahimi will go head to head against his FC Porto team-mate Moussa Marega.

Soka25east.com