The Algerians and Nige­rians had four points each ahead of the Dakar show­down but the 0-0 draw left both sides with 5 points apiece but the North Afri­cans top the group with a better goals difference.

Nigeria will now face hosts Senegal in the semi-final of the U23 AFCON on Wednesday while the other semi-final will be between Group B winners Algeria and South Africa, who finished as runners-up.

Mali edged past Egypt 1-0 in the other Group B match in Mbour to fin­ish third with three points with the Young Pharaohs bottom on two points.

The top three teams will qualify automati­cally for the Rio Olym­pics next year with the fourth-placed team vying for a place in Brazil in a playoff.

In Dakar, the match between Algeria and Ni­geria was always going to be a cagey affair after both teams also battled in a final group game at the inaugural tournament in Morocco four years ago with the West Africans winning 4-1.

In a half of very few openings, Nigeria had two chances to take the lead in Dakar – first an audacious 30-yard lob forced goal­keeper Sahli to tip it for a corner in the 13th min­ute and in the 34th minute Oghenekaro Etebo’s free kick was barely kept out by the Algeria shot stop­per.

Algeria striker Draoui threatened the Nigeria goal after 26 minutes but goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel came off his line to cut out the danger.

That was a minute after their effort was ruled off­side by the referee.

In the second half, Etebo was denied by a big save by goalkeeper Salhi, who dived full length to push away a goal-bound effort by the near post.

Algeria also had their moments after the inter­val, but they did not have the cutting edge to get a goal in this contest.

-Sun