CHAN2014: Nigeria 1 - 0 Zimbabwe. EAGLES Get the Bronze

Bronze for the SUPER EAGLES at 2014 CHAN after a hard-fought match against 10-men Warriors of Zimbabwe in Cape Town on February 1, 2014, Saturday. 

Chinonso Obiozor was the hero of the match, as he scored the only goal. Obiozor, playing his first match of the competition, looked a constant threat with his pace and power and having come close on a number of occasions, finally got his reward on the 85th minute.

Nigeria deserved it. Surely, the early red card for Zimbabwe helped, but today's performance by the team was at good level, in any case!

Nigeria’s advantage was never seriously threatened after that and they were able to hold on for the bronze medal to go with the gold they won at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa a year ago.

Our best congratulations to all the fans.

90+4' And the referee blows the whistle for FULL TIME

90+2' Two minutes to go. Nigerian and Ghana fans cheer together.

90' Substitution #3 for Zimbabwe: Simba Nhivi Sithole replaces Simba Sithole.

86' A great ball in from Uzoenyi and Obiozor! We are close to winning the bronze medal of CHAN2014.

86' Eagles' Obiozor Chinonso Christian is cautioned.

84' GOOOOOOAL Obiozor Chinonso Christian Scores!

81' Substitution #2 for Zimbabwe: Felix Chindungwe replaces Peter Moyo.

81' Substitution #1 for Zimbabwe: Ali Sadikki replaces Oscar Machapa.

79' Great chance is missed. Uzoenyi works some space for himself in the penalty area, but shoots straight at Chigoya.

Ghanian fans sing together with Super Eagles' fans. What a solidarity! But, they wait for the FINAL and we are fighting for 3rd place only.

74' George Chigoya (Zimbabwe goalkeeper) is cautioned for persistent time-wasting.

72' Wrist injury of Zimbabwe keeper is getting worse. He calls doctors to the field. This man conceded only one goal during the whole tournament!

67' Substitution #3 for Nigeria: Rabiu Ali replaces Christian Pyagbara.

62' Nigeria sends bigger and bigger forces forwards, Zimbabwe seeks counter-attacks.

55' Zimbabwe were close for an opener. Sithole fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.

53' Keshi goes for double substitution: Umar Zango replaces Ugonna Uzochukwu, Ejike Uzoenyi replaces Francis Benjamin

52' Quite start of the half. Eagles Really NEED to score a goal

Match stats: Nigeria 64% ball possession, 8 shots at goal, one on target. Zimbabwe 34% possession, 3 shots at goal, 0 on target

HALF TIME. It's goalless draw.

45'+4 Zimbabwe's penalty appeal denied. Simba Sithole (Zimbabwe) is cautioned for simulation.

45' 5!!! Minutes of extra time added. Lots of time was spent on helping the goalkeepers. So, quite fair.

40' 0-0. Zimbabwe defends well. And they also use some tricks to waste time (see the snapshot below).

34' Nigeria misses another chance after a good play from the left wing. Zimbabwe goalkeeper was hit.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is among the audience watching Nigeria play Zimbabwe

28' Another brutal collision. Nigeria's Abdullahi Shehu is on the ground. Rude football from Zimbabwe. They have committed 6 fouls, while Eagles – just 2.

26' 0-0. Eagles just have to be patient. We have gained an early advantage.

But, Zimbabwe has conceded only one goal in open play in CHAN. Nigeria has conceded 8. Our attempts to score against 10-men Ghana were not fruitful.

18' Mambare of Zimbabwe fouls Nigeria's goalkeeper Agbim; gets a red card. 18 minutes played.

Agbim is back on his feet. Nigeria now a man up after the red card to Mambare of Zimbabwe. score 0-0!

17' Doctors help both of the players.

16' Zimbabwe striker runs into Eagles' goalkeeper. Both players are on the groud.

14' It's still 0-0

10' Nigeria's Abubakar Ibrahim booked for diving. Replay shows referee was wrong.

7' Nigeria misses a goal scoring opportunity as the striker shoots wide

1' And off we go!

The teams are already on the field and the national anthems of the two countries are played. 

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