After failing to beat the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the semi-final on Sunday, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are poised to maintain their grip on the third-place medal.
Soccernet’s Augustine Akhilomen takes a look at how the team has performed in the last six third-place matches.
At the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations in Ethiopia, the Green Eagles clinched the third-place match after beating the Pharaohs of Egypt.
Another meeting with the North African team, Tunisia in the third-place as the Green Eagles came out with a brilliant 2-0 win at the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Ghana.
January 25, 1992 Nigeria 2–1 Cameroon
After narrowly losing 2-1 against Ghana in the semi-final, the Super Eagles came up against another strong opponent in the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and won by 2-1 thanks to goals from Friday Ekpo and Rashidi Yekini to clinch the third-place medal.
9 February 2002 Nigeria 1–0 Mali
A Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s goal was enough for the Super Eagles to edge host, Mali in the third place at the Stade Barema Bocoum.
13 February 2004 Nigeria 2–1 Mali
A very strong Nigerian squad could not but settle for a third-place finish at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia after overcoming Mali for the umpteenth time thanks to goals from Austine Okocha and Osaze Odemwingie.
9 February 2006 Senegal 0–1 Nigeria
The Super Eagles made amend of their inability to beat the Ivory Coast in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations, as the team pip Senegal 1-0 in the third-place match.
The solitary goal was scored by Garba Lawal in the 79th minute to hand Nigeria another bronze medal in Egypt.
30 January 2010 Nigeria 1-0 Algeria