Zambia moved up to second behind Nigeria as a 3-1 win over Algeria helped keep their world cup dream alive, and might well have ended any hope of Algeria being in Russia.
Brian Mwila scored twice in the first half against an Algeria team without playmaker Riyad Mahrez.
Algeria fought back in the second half and were rewarded with a goal from just outside the box by Yacine Brahimi in the 53rd minute.
But substitute Enock Mwepu scored Zambia’s third to make it 3-1 to the hosts.
The two teams will meet again in Constantine on Tuesday.
