Emeka Ezeugwu
10 February 2002
As Eagles settles for bronze
A young girl stanch supporter of Les Angles of Mali slummped and died with several others resuscitated from shock in hospitals as Camerounian Lions devoured their darling team at March 26 Stadium, in Bamako, Thursday night.
The girl whose name could not be confirmed slumped and hit her head on a pavement in the stands at the stadium while watching the encounter that left Malian capital, Bamako quiet for once since the competition started.
Nigeria secured third place at the African Nations Cup after beating host nation Mali 1-0 in a dreary playoff between the two semi-final losers.
The 'Super Eagles' downed the Malians with a first-half goal from Yakubu Aiyegbeni that silenced the home fans in this dusty tourist town's Barema Bocouma Stadium.
World Cup qualifiers Nigeria started without stars such as Nwankwo Kanu, Austine 'Jayjay' Okocha, Taribo West, Finidi George and Celestine Babayaro who were all left on the bench or out of the squad.
So much talent sitting idle on the bench did nothing for the entertainment value on an afternoon where both sides looked disinterested in the outcome for long periods.
Aiyegbeni's goal came on 29 minutes, the striker springing the off-side trap and coolly slotting past advancing Mali goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe. The goal produced hardly any response from the Nigerian bench, with coach Shaibu Amodu - possibly in charge for the last time - looking on impassively.
Sidibe, who had taken a heavy blow to the head in the opening minutes of the game after colliding with Aiyegbeni, was substituted immediately afterwards still looking groggy.
Karamoko Keita, a goalkeeper with English non-league side Harrow Borough, replaced Sidibe.
Aiyegbeni's strike was the only chance of a lacklustre first-half which provided hardly any goalmouth action.
Mali's only shot on goal was a feeble effort from skipper Soumaila Coulibaly, the midfielder's attempt trickling well wide near halftime.
Coulibaly was substituted at the interval for Mahamadou Dissa, the extra forward being brought on by coach Henri Kasperczak in an effort to beef up Mali's attacking options.
After the break Mali upped the tempo and controlled possession. They almost levelled when a goalbound shot was cleared off the line by Kanu, introduced late on by Nigeria.
It was the last chance however and Nigeria held on for the win.(ACONS)
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