African Nations Cup - Nigeria 1 Algeria 0

Nigeria defeated Algeria in their opening Group A game.

Midfielder Julius Aghahowa scored the winner at the March 26th Stadium in the 43rd minute.

The Shaktar Donetsk player cut inside on a run and swept a low shot past Algeria goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui at his near post.

Moulay Haddou wasted a great chance to equalise when he headed wide with a virtually open goal in front of him in the 49th minute. Second half substitute Nwankwo Kanu sent two late chances wide of the target but the favourites for this year's title looked disinterested in the second half with play maker Jay Jay Okocha drifitng out of the game.