Nigeria beat Algeria 1-0 in third place playoff of African Nations Cup

Nigeria beat Algeria 1-0 to clinch the third place at the African Nations Cup thanks to the lone goal from striker Obinna Nsofor at the second half goal in Benguela of Angola on Saturday.

It is the fourth time in the last five Cup editions that Nigeria have been the bronze medallists.

Nsofor broke through the Algeria defense in the 55th minute to score the only goal with a deft left-foot finish.

Both sides made several changes after their semi-final defeats on Thursday.

Algeria were missing three players through suspension while Nigeria gave a rare start to seasoned striker Nwankwo Kanu, who managed the best shot of the first half with a left-foot effort in the 32nd minute.

Both teams head to the World Cup in South Africa later this year but Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu's position is under threat after an unimpressive showing in Angola by the Super Eagles.

Algeria started the tournament with a shock defeat by Malawi but recovered to post an unexpected 3-2 win over the heavily fancied Cote d'Ivoire in the quarter-finals last weekend.

They reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.

Holders Egypt meet Ghana in Sunday's final in Luanda.

Source: Xinhua