A deflected goal from Julius Aghahowa gave Finidi George's Nigerians a 1-0 win over Algeria in the African Nations' Cup this afternoon. The Algerians will have been disappointed not to have got something from the game after having a second half game harshly ruled out and a couple of calls for a penalty.

Finidi was playing a combative central midfield role and was lucky not get himself booked for a number of fouls early in the second half. He created a few chances, one in particular in the first half when he put in a cross from an Okacha pass that was headed down just too far in front of Okacha as he broke forward for the return.

Aghahowa celebrated his goal with seven backflips, which was possibly the most exciting incident in the game and is well worth having to sit through Garth Crooks on the BBC2 highlights programme this evening (11.20) on its own.

Towards the end Udeze of Nigeria and Belbe from Algeria clashed heads with the latter being knocked out cold. Still unconcious he was carried to an ambulance and taken to hospital.

Nigeria will be happy with the result, although they rarely played the sparkling football with which they are associated.

Photo: Action Images

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