Cairo: Hundreds of jubilant Egyptians stayed on the nation’s main streets until the early hours of Friday to celebrate their national football team’s win over Algeria in a semifinal of the African Cup of Nations in Angola.

The defending champions Egypt hammered their regional bitter rivals 4-0 Thursday night to reach the final of the tournament, Africa’s most prestigious soccer competition.

For Egyptians, triumph over Algeria is significant. “By scoring this big victory, our team avenged their defeat in (a World Cup qualifier) in Sudan and taught Algerians an unforgettable lesson in both footballing and refined manners,” said Mahmoud Khamis as he waved the national flag in the fashionable Cairo Street of Gameat al-Dawal.

On November 18, Algeria beat Egypt 1-0 in a crucial World Cup playoff in Sudan where Egyptian fans were reportedly harassed and attacked by Algerians.

The incident triggered a political crisis between the two Arab countries and Egypt recalled its ambassador from Algiers in protest. He is still in Cairo.

“For me, win over Algeria is more precious than qualifying to the World Cup,” Hassan Farouq told Gulf News. “It vindicated our dignity after the shameful behaviour and attacks carried out by Algerian fans on us in Sudan. I would not be sad even if Egypt lost in the Sunday final, though I am confident that our team will win.”

Egypt will play the final on Sunday against Ghana, who beat Nigeria 1-0 on Thursday. Egypt have won the title for a record six times and seek to get it for the third time in a row.

Hardly had referee Koffi Codjia of Benin blown the final whistle for the acrimonious match that saw three Algerian players sent off, when hundreds of Egyptians poured into the streets Thursday night.

The celebrants, who included veiled women, waved the national flag, honked their cars and danced to beats of drums. The celebrations ground the traffic to a halt in several parts of Cairo for hours despite the cold weather.

“Our victory over Algeria has a special taste,” said Marwa Al Sayyed. She had the three colours of the Egyptian flag painted on her face as she wore a veil of the same colours.

“It ends the fake supremacy of Algerians, who should not have qualified to the World Cup.”

Marwa, a 19-year-old girl, joined her two brothers in celebrating the win along with hundreds in a major Cairo square where fireworks lit up the sky.

“Egyptians have every reason to feel jubilant after the humiliation they have suffered since the Sudan game,” her brother, Hassan, said.

President Hosni Mubarak congratulated the Egyptian team on the triumph and urged them to win the title for an unprecedented seventh time.