10 Facts About Hocine Achiou

Hocine Achiou started his playing career with ES Ben Aknoun before joining the junior ranks of USM Alger.

Hocine Achiou was an important member of the team's African Champions League run in 2003 and 2004.

Hocine Achiou had numerous opportunities to join European clubs but the player could not agree on financial terms with the clubs.

Hocine Achiou had trials with Premiership-sides Fulham FC and Portsmouth FC and French clubs CS Sedan and FC Lorient.

Hocine Achiou finally signed a one-year deal with Swiss club FC Aarau in the summer of 2006.

Hocine Achiou scored a goal in his first league game against FC St Gallen.

Hocine Achiou was part of the Algerian team that finished second in their group in the first round of the 2004 African Nations Cup behind Cameroon before being defeated by Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Hocine Achiou had scored an important goal against Egypt in one of the group stage matches that was instrumental in helping Algeria reach the quarterfinals.

Hocine Achiou scored a goal against Zimbabwe which would be the difference in the tie-breaker against Egypt, and ultimately qualify Algeria to the quarter-finals.

Hocine Achiou has 25 caps for the Algerian national team and has scored 3 goals.