NIGERIA’S Super Eagles finished in the third place in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament after beating Tunisia 1-0 yesterday night in a match staged at Al-Salam Stadium.
The Super Eagles won their third-place playoff for the eighth time in history at the tournament, thanks to Odion Ighalo early strike. Both sides were looking to end the tournament on high following their disappointment in the semi-finals.
Ighalo scored the only goal in the 3rd minute following a poor clearance at the back by Tunisia, a goal which put him in the driving seat to win the Golden Boot. The Shanghai Greenland Shenhua striker is currently the top scorer with five goals and will win the top scorer accolade unless Adam Ounas, Sadio Mane or Riyad Mahrez score two goals or more in Friday’s final.
An awful defending saw Tunisia punished early in the game as Jamilu Collins on the left flank delivered a cross inside the six-yard, Moez Ben Cherifia punched the ball off his defender Yassine Meriah and Ighalo tapped into an empty net.
His goal was the fifth of the tournament, making him the top scorer with a shout for the top scorer accolade.
Ighalo’s tournament was over just before half time after picking up an injury. He left the pitch before the half time whistle blew and at the start of the second half he was replaced by Victor Osimhen as the match resumed for the final 45 minutes.
Grand final
The finals of the tournament between Algeria and Senegal will be played tomorrow at the Cairo International Stadium. – Futaa.com