9 February 2002
Eagles play hosts Mali in Cup play-off.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria take on hosts Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations third place play off today. The two sides lost their semi -final encounters on Thursday with Nigeria hit 2-1 by Senegal and Mali falling 0-3 to Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
Cameroon overcame what they claimed was police intimidation to end host nation Mali's surprise run.
Underdogs Senegal overcame all the odds to beat Nigeria 2-1 in the other semi-final between to World Cup-bound teams.
Cameroon sailed through the match itself, winning 3-0 with two first half goals from Salomon Olembe and a late breakaway from Marc-Vivien Foe, but only after they had backed down from a walkout threat in protest at treatment by the police.
Senegal, playing for more than one hour with a man less, won their match with a goal by Alissane Diao seven minutes into extra time but were let off the hook later when substitute Wilson Oruma missed a penalty for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria, who had earned a stay of execution with an 88th minute equaliser by Ukrainian-based Julius Aghahowa, finished with nine men after Aghahowa and Ifeanyi Udeze were dismissed in the second half of extra time. The golden goal rule is not used in the Nations Cup.
Mali, who have reached the final once in 1972, saw their challenge effectively ended in the last ten minutes of the first half by Olembe.
First, he tapped in from close range after Ndiefi got to the byline and pulled the ball back, then scored after a one-two with the Sedan player. Laurent Mayer and Samuel Eto'o, who has had a frustrating tournament, hit the post as the Indomitable Lions cruised through the second half.
To round off the performance, substitute Patrick Suffo split the Mali defence with a first-time pass and Foe scored easily.(ACONS)
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