A place in the grand finale of this year's African Nations Championship is up for grabs on Tuesday when Algeria and Niger go head-to-head.
Algeria saw off the threat of Ivory Coast in the previous round of matches, while Niger made light work of Ghana in their last-eight encounter.
Match preview
Algeria showed great resolve to come out on top in a feisty clash against the Elephants of Ivory Coast which ended 1-0 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Friday evening.
In a game which saw a player on either side sent off, Aymen Mahious kept his nerve from 12 yards late in the game to get the job done for Madjid Bougherra's men in Baraki.
Consequently, the Fennec Foxes have now each of their last four outings without conceding a single goal, highlighting their solidity at both ends of the pitch.
Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit with just one victory in the previous eight clashes across all competition, losing the other seven.
Having already surpassed their best-ever CHAN finish, Algeria will certainly now fancy themselves to go all the way in the current edition with their fans cheering them on.
Niger eased past the Black Stars of Ghana courtesy of a well-deserved 2-0 victory in Saturday's meeting between the teams at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium.
Imarana Seyni's 11th-minute opener set Harouna Doula's men on their way, after which Soumana Hainikoye put the tie to bed in the early knockings of the second half.
Since kicking off their African Nations Championship campaign with a goalless stalemate against Congo, the Dama Gazelle have got themselves back on track with wins in their subsequent two matches.
Currently on a run of three straight clean sheets for the first time in over two years, Niger will be aiming to keep things tight at the back as they target yet another feather in the cap.
Team News
Algeria's Alexis Guendouz received his marching orders for a professional handball last time out, and the goalkeeper is suspended for Tuesday's clash as a result.
This should see Farid Chaal feature between the sticks for what would be only his first start of the tournament and a first international appearance since 2016.
Thirty-one-year-old Nasser Garba is an injury doubt for Niger after he was forced off with an injury problem in the first half of the win over Ghana.
Should Garba be deemed unfit to take part, Abdoul Kassali will be expected to fend off competition from Idrissa Karimou and come into the starting lineup for this one.
Algeria possible starting lineup:
Chaal; Abdellaoui, Belaid, Keddad, Belkhiter; Kendouci, Mrezigue, Draoui; Meziane, Mahious, Laouafi
Niger possible starting lineup:
Djibo; Souley, Adamou, Amado, Kassali; Arzakou, Abdoulaye; Seyni, Moussa, Aziz; Hainikoye
We say: Algeria 1-0 Niger
Both teams have been defensively near-impenetrable of late, so we are anticipating a nervy and cagey affair. That said, we are also backing Algeria to get the job done and continue their quest for glory on home turf.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
