A 2-0 win over South Africa on Wednesday at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar was enough for Algeria to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 35 years.

‘Les Fennecs’ only participation was in 1980 in Moscow, Russia and striker Oussama Darfalou and Mohammed Benkhemassa scored in either half to book a place at next year’s multisport event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil alongside Nigeria.

Algeria will face Nigeria in Saturday’s final in a repeat of their earlier meeting at the group phase which ended barren.

It was a well deserving win for Algeria who made the best of their positive start with an early goal after eight minutes. A long ball from Riyad Keniche, found Darfalou, who beat an offside trap before lobbying over South African goalie Jody February for the opener.

Whilst South Africa laboured in search of their feet, the North Africans almost doubled the lead nine minutes later when Benkhemassa forced a superb save from February this time with a shot at the edge of the penalty area.

Minutes later, Gift Motupa missed a perfect chance to draw level, with a wayward connection from Abbubaker Mobara’s cross from the right.

Five minutes into the second half, Benkhemassa doubled the lead with a power-laden shot following a clearance from a corner, leaving February with no option.

South Africa coach Owen da Gama introduced Phakamani Mahlambi and Dumsani Zuma midway and the introduction saw an improvement in their play and forcing the Algerian backline to do some work.

However, Algeria survived several scares from the South African attack to hold on to victory and confirm their place at next year’s multisport event.

South Africa will face host Senegal for the continent’s final ticket for the Olympic Games in the third place match on Saturday. The two sides met in the tournament opener with the host winning 3-1.