Algeria too strong for Chad

Marseille's Djamel Belmadi neeted two for Algeria

Group 12: Algeria 4-1 Chad

Algeria's French-based duo Nassim Akrour and Djamel Belmadi netted two goals each as Algeria thumped Chad 4-1 in their Nations Cup qualifier in Annaba.

The victory, Algeria's second in succession in the qualifying tournament, moves them a giant step closer to a place at the 2004 Nations Cup in Tunisia.

Algeria beat Namibia away in their first qualifying match last month.

Red card

Their comfortable win over Chad came despite having defender Slimane Raho sent off after just 25 minutes for retaliation after a tackle.

French-born Akrour put Algeria into the lead at half-time before Marseille's Belmadi marked his first international in more than a year with two goals.

Akrour added the fourth from the penalty spot in the 74th minute.

Chad's goal was scored by substitute Naama Naay from a corner just five minutes before the Algerian penalty.

Chad have yet to win a match in Nations Cup qualifiers since they first entered the preliminaries more than a decade ago.