An early own goal was enough to settle a turgid opening encounter in Group 12.

After just three minutes of play, Namibian defender Collin Benjamin lost concentration in the penalty area and put the ball past his own goalkeeper.

It proved to be the decisive moment of a dull match, as the group favourites seemed untroubled by a struggling Namibia team.

The Namibians have not won an international match since March 2001, and were eliminated from the Cosafa Cup by Swaziland in April.

Algeria, disappointing in Mali after a great qualifying campaign, will play Chad in the next game.

A win at home would place them in a very strong position for Tunisia 2004.