By Martin Davies BBC Sport in Sousse

Algeria's Hadjadj keeps out Adam Ndlovu

Zimbabwe ended their first appearance at the Cup of Nations with a deserved win over Algeria.

Adam Ndlovu missed two gilt-edged first-half chances before finally making the breakthrough when he headed in off a post from a corner.

Six minutes later, a Zimbabwe break saw Joel Luphahla fire in a second and at 2-0 Algeria would have been out.

But Hocine Achiou, the hero against Egypt, headed home a crucial goal to ensure that Algeria creep through.

Algeria gave the impression that all they had to do was turn up. And they were made to suffer for their complacency and nearly went out of this competition as a result.

The final 25 minutes were compelling and exciting as Algeria realised they were in real danger of heading home.

Until then, Zimbabwe had been the only side who looked interested in the contest.

In the 64th minute Algeria paid for their nonchalance as Zimbabwe striker Adam Ndlovu rose at the near post to glance a header past Algerian keeper Gaouaoui.

Six minutes later, The Warriors appeared to have hammered the final nail into the Algerian coffin, when Luphahla ran unchallenged down the left hand side and cut in to score with a right foot shot.

SOUSSE GOALS 65 mins: Adam Ndlovu heads Zimbabwe in front 71 mins: Luphahla doubles the lead on the counter-attack 73 mins: Achiou heads a crucial goal for Algeria

At this stage, with Cameroon and Egypt still goalless in Monastir, Algeria were heading out.

But, two minutes later, with Algerian fans disgusted, Achiou reacted quickest to a right-wing cross and headed home to crucially pull one back.

Algeria's attitude was evident from the kick-off.

Fielding five changes from the side that defeated Egypt, the North Africans looked pedestrian as Zimbabwe had the better of the first half chances.

To the disappointment of the Zimbabwe fans, the pick of the bunch fell to Adam Ndlovu and not his brother and top scorer Peter on 13 minutes.

A great run down the left by Luhahla ended with him cutting the ball back to Ndlovu.

The veteran striker had time to assess his chance and pick his spot, but somehow managed to skew it wide.

He soon had a chance to redeem himself when a corner was headed goalwards by Harlington Sereni, Peter Ndlovu helped it on and somehow his older brother contrived to scoop the ball over from a yard out.

We were playing for pride and I'm sure people back in Zimbabwe are proud of us Peter Ndlovu

Back in Harare there must have been thousands of fans wishing they were in his boots.

Zimbabwe spent more time in the Algerian half and the north Africans' best chances were from free-kicks. Haddou curled one wide while Fellahi went close from an Achiou cross.

It was a miracle we made it back Algeria coach Rabah Saadane

The second half saw Algeria bring on their star turns as they realised they had under-estimated the Southern Africans. Belmadi took over from Haddou in midfield and Cherrad replaced Fellahi up front.

But, as was the case against Egypt, it was Aciou who saved the day as his header kept Algeria in the competition.

Algeria: 12-Lounes Gaouaoui; 3-Moulay Haddou, 13-Brahim Zafour, 5-Salim Aribi, 17-Samir Zaoui; 15-Karim Ziani, 8-Naserdine Kraouche, 20-Fodil Hadjadj, 22-Hocine Achiou: 9-Nassim Akrour, 14-Fares Fellahi

Zimbabwe: 16-Tapuwa Kapini; 2-Dumisani Mpofu, 4-Bhekithemba Ndlovu, 6-Kaitano Tembo, 22-Dixon Choto; 15-Ronald Sibanda, 17-Harlington Shereni, 20-Tinashe Nengomasha, 21-Joel Luphahla; 12-Peter Ndlovu, 13-Adam Ndlovu

Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles)