Oliveira Goncalves is trying to steer Angola to its first World Cup

The victory in a see-saw match lifts the Nigerians to eighteen points, the same as the Angolans yet behind them because of a worse head-to-head record.

Nigeria won thanks to goals from John Utaka, Stephen Makinwa, Christian Obodo and a brace from Obafemi Martins.

Hamza Yacef and Mansour Boutabout replied for Algeria in a game where both sides were reduced to ten men.

Utaka was sent off for Nigeria while Karim Ziani was dismissed shortly after Algeria had levelled the scores at 2-2.

Nigeria need to win at home against Zimbabwe in their final game and hope the Angolans slip up in Rwanda if the Super Eagles are to reach Germany.

Yet Angola are within touching distance of the World Cup after thrashing Gabon 3-0 in Luanda on Sunday.

A win in Kigali in early October will secure their berth in the 2006 finals.

Angola survived an early penalty appeal before beating Gabon when frantic appeals for handball were turned down by the referee.

Gabon's Rene Nsi Akoue then deflected an effort from Mendonca into his own net for Angola's opening goal in the 22nd minute.

Benfica striker Mantorras added a second just before halftime with substitute Ze Kalanga scoring the final goal at the final whistle.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe qualified for the African Nations Cup finals for only the second time in their history after a 3-1 win over Rwanda.

Group Four table

Sunday's victory in Harare ensured that the Warriors finished inside the top three places in qualifying Group Four.

Zimbabwe dominated the match against the Rwandese, scoring after just five minutes through Shingirai Kawondera.

A mix-up in defence saw Zvenyika Makonese net an own goal just after the half hour mark.

But France-based striker Benjani Mwaruwari restored Zimbabwe's lead just before half-time and substitute Ashley Rambanapasi, playing in just his fourth international, scored 15 minutes from the end to make sure of the win.

It is the second successive time that Zimbabwe have qualified for the Nations Cup finals.

Sunday's win means they also keep up their mathematical chance of making the World Cup finals in Germany.