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Nigeria beat Algeria 1-0 in 3rd Play offs of African Nations Cup 2010
Nigeria
defeated Algerian side 1-0 to claim third place at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Striker Victor Obinna Nsofor's brave 54th minute effort sealed the victory
for the Super Eagles in Benguela.But Nigeria should have won by a wider margin
as they fluffed several good scoring chances.
Kalu Uche should have put his side in the lead just before the break but missed from six yards, while keeper Zemmomouche saved Nsofor's strike.Victory for the Super Eagles ensured that they picked their fourth bronze medal in the last five outings at the continental tournament.
"This is a good thing we won this game," Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu said. "It's always better to leave with a prize."With just pride at stake, the game lacked urgency as several key Nigeria players were rested in favour of those who have seen little action in the competition.
This
allowed coach Shaibu Amodu to give Nwankwo Kanu Seyi Olofinjana, Chidi Odiah
and Obinna Nsofor their first starts of the tournament for the Super Eagles
.Algeria coach Rabah Saadane also rang the changes as goalkeeper Lamine Zemmomouche
took the place of Faouzi Chaouchi who was sent off in their Thursday's semi
final 4-0 defeat at the hands of Egypt.
Defenders
Rafik Halliche and Nadir Belhadj who were also red carded in the game against
the Pharaohs were replaced by Reda Baabouche and Samir Zaoui in the Desert
Foxes starting line-up.
The first half lacked the urgency as both sides strolled on the pitch with
very few chances were created. Kanu cut inside two Algerian defenders in the
34th minute and unleashed a long-rage shot but was denied by Zemmomouche.
Nsofor also failed to test the goalkeeper after letting rip from 25 yards
before Kalu Uche's goal on 42 minutes was rightly adjudged offside by referee
Badara Diatta.
Mourad Meghni failed to punish the west Africans for their profligacy when volleyed wide from close range after Hamuer Bouazza's cross from the right.Uche also missed a glorious chance just before the break when burst into box and with only Zemmomouche at his mercy he rather laid a pass for Nsofor who slipped.
The second half started promisingly, with both teams creating early chances.The Algerian keeper failed to gather Taye Taiwo rasping free-kick five minutes after the interval but Nsofor's follow-up strike came off the bar. The Spain-based striker made amends moments later when her showed great determination to beat three Algeria defenders before placing the ball beyond Zemmomouche.
Nigeria:
Enyeama, Apam, Odiah, Shittu, Taiwo, Olofinjana, Kaita, Uche (Martins 65),
Obinna, Obasi Ogbuke (Odemwingie 81), Kanu (Mikel 78).
Subs Not Used: Aiyenugbu, Yobo, Echiejile, Etuhu, Mohammed, Nwaneri, Yakubu,
Yussuf, Ejide.
Algeria: Zemmamouche, Bougherra, Zaoui, Raho, Babouche, Bouazza (Ziaya 59), Meghni (Abdoun 58), Ziani, Yebda, Mansouri, Ghezzal (Saifi 85).
Related Links
Highlights Nigeria 5-4 Zambia African Nations Cup
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