Odion Ighalo scored in the third minute on Wednesday to secure a 1-0 victory for Nigeria over Tunisia in the third-place match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ighalo scored from close range when he took advantage of a mix-up in the Tunisian defence at Al-Salam Stadium to net his fifth goal in Egypt.
Jamilu Collins´ cross from the left was poorly parried by goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifa against the legs of defender Yassine Meriah, who tried to stop it from going over the line before Ighalo pounced to give Nigeria the lead.
It proved a costly blunder for Tunisia, who lost Sunday´s semi-final in extra time to Senegal in similar circumstances.
Ben Cherifa attempted to make up for his error with some good saves in the second half, first denying Samuel Chukwueze´s left-footed shot just after the hour mark before saving two efforts from substitute Samuel Kalu in stoppage time.
The Super Eagles, who dominated the game, have now won the bronze medal at eight different AFCON tournaments.
Ighalo – the tournament’s leading goalscorer – was substituted before halftime and left the field holding his left leg, an unexpected end to a tournament where he is on course to finish as top scorer.
Three players could catch him in the final: Algeria pair Riyad Mahrez and Adam Ounas, and Senegal’s Sadio Mane all have three goals.
Algeria and Senegal meet Friday at Cairo International Stadium, where Algeria can claim a second title and first since 1990 and Senegal can win the African Cup for the first time.
