Nigeria and Algeria secure places at Rio 2016 with semi-final wins at African Under-23 Championships

Algeria will compete at the Olympic Games for the first time in 35 years after beating South Africa 2-0 in their semi-final ©CAF

Nigeria and Algeria booked their places in the men’s Olympic football tournament at Rio 2016 after both teams recorded semi-final victories at the 2015 African Under-23 Championships in Dakar today.

Nigeria, Africa’s most successful country at the Games after they won the Olympic gold medal at Atlanta 1996, secured their spot thanks to captain Peter Etebo’s solitary goal from the penalty spot in their last four clash with the hosts Senegal.

Algeria then ensured they would compete at the event for the first time in 35 years - their last appearance came at Moscow 1980 - after Oussama Darfalou and Mohammed Benkhemassa scored in either half to guide their side to a 2-0 victory over South Africa.

The final between the two sides is due to place on Saturday (December 12), which comes after South Africa and the host country will battle it out for the third and final Rio 2016 spot in the third-place –play-off.

Nigeria’s clash with Senegal always looked like being a nervy affair, with neither team wanting to commit too many men forward in the early stages.

The contest sparked into life when Nigerian goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel hauled down Cheickou Dieng in the area but quickly redeemed himself by saving Ibrahima Sory Keita’s penalty to deny Senegal from going in front.

The crucial moment of a dour, yet tense, encounter came 15 minutes from time when Nigeria were awarded a penalty after Senegal's Ousseynou Thioune deliberately handled the ball as he collided with goalkeeper Pape Ndiaye.

Thioune was sent-off and Etebo coolly converted to send his side to the Olympic Games.

Nigeria overcame hosts Senegal in a tense affair to secure their spot at Rio 2016 ©CAF

Algeria seized the initiative in their match with South Africa, opening the scoring after just eight minutes thanks to Darfalou’s deft finish over the onrushing Jody February.

Benkhemassa doubled his side’s lead shortly after the restart as Benkhemassa reacted quickest from a corner to fire home a second before they held out to earn their Rio 2016 berth.

Nigeria and Algeria are the 11th and 12th countries to qualify for Rio 2016 and will be joined by hosts Brazil and London 2012 gold medallists Mexico.

The others are Argentina, Denmark, Fiji, Germany, Honduras, Portugal and Sweden.

A total of 16 teams will compete in the men's tournament.

Senegal stepped in as hosts earlier this year after the Democratic Republic of Congo withdrew from staging the tournament because of fears it would clash with the country's elections next year.

Gabon were shock winners of the inaugural event in Morocco in 2011, the result seeing them qualify for London 2012.