Nigeria has atoned for its semifinal disappointment in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations by securing the bronze medal. The third-place playoff encounter with Tunisia on Wednesday ended in a 1-0 scoreline in favor of the Super Eagles.
While the clash was not as eagerly anticipated as previous matches, Gernot Rohr's men staged an impressive display to ensure an honorable exit against their North African nemesis. In their bid to save face, the West Africans issued a massive statement of intent by grabbing the game's opener in just three minutes after proceedings began.
#TotalAFCON2019 - HALFTIME:
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) July 17, 2019
0-1
An early goal from Odion Ighalo has given the #SuperEagles the lead over Tunisia as they go into the break of tonight's 3rd place playoff match. pic.twitter.com/dpe9WOJhWG
It was none other than the prolific Odion Ighalo who found the back of the net after capitalizing on a defensive mix-up in the Tunisians' penalty box. The strike subsequently took the former Watford striker's goal tally at AFCON 2019 to five.
What this meant was that the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Adam Ounas, and Sadio Mane who are all on three goals will now need to score at least twice in order to usurp the Nigerian forward in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot accolade.
Odion Ighalo extended his #TotalAFCON2019 goal scoring lead tonight with his solitary goal.
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) July 17, 2019
Could this be enough to see him walk away with the tournament's golden boot award?#SuperEagles pic.twitter.com/MUhtvDrSH4