Host nation, Algeria, booked their place into the African Nations Championship (CHAN) final after a dominant victory over Niger, where they will meet Senegal.
Ayem Mahious scored two goals as the Algerians annihilated Niger 5-0 at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran.
Mahious scored his fourth and fifth of the tournament in the first-half to put the Algerians in control.
Captain Ayoub Abdellaoui drew first blood after 15 minutes with a back post header before the brace extended the lead to 3-0.
An own goal by Boureima Katakore put them in the driving seat at half-time.
Substitute, Sofiane Bayazid, then sealed the victory and the biggest win of the tournament with seven minutes remaining.
Niger had their first shot on target in the 59th minute when Badamassi Ousseini’s header was parried by Farid Chaal.
“We thank the players,” said Algeria manager, Madjid Bougherra.
“We need to acknowledge the fans as well because their support was important to us.
“The players respected the plan and we emerged victorious and are going to the finals in Algiers.”
Algerian midfielder, Houssem Eddine Mrezigue, was named man of the match following a commanding performance.
The 22-year-old controlled the tempo and momentum of the game and capped it off with an assist for the fifth goal.
Senegal won the second semi-final 1-0 in a nervy encounter with Madagascar.
Pape Diallo got the eventual winners off to the perfect start with a fifth-minute goal at the Stade Nelson Mandela in Algiers.
Senegal is now set to face Algeria in the capital on Saturday (February 4), following Niger versus Madagascar in the third-place playoff on the previous day. —Insidethegames.biz
