African Nations Championships
Result: Nigeria 1-0 Zimbabwe
Date: 1 February 2014
Venue: Cape Town Stadium
Nigeria claimed third spot at the African Nations Championships after beating Zimbabwe 1-0 at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Abdeullahi Shehu had Nigeria's first opportunity of the game with just three minutes gone, the striker shot wide from inside the area after some good work by Abubaker Ibrahim.
Zimbabwe were reduced to 10 men in the 16th minute as Maimba Mambare was shown a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Nigeria's Chigozie Agbim.
Christian Pyagbara tried his luck from range in the 27th minute, but the midfielder's effort went high and wide.
Abubaker Ibrahim came close to giving Nigeria the lead in the 37th minute wth a shot from distance but George Chigova was equal to the task.
Simba Sithole came close to giving Zimbabwe the lead in the 55th minute but the striker fired his effort into side-netting.
Solomon Kwambe tried his luck from range in the 64th minute but the defender fired his effort high over the bar.
Ejike Uzoenyi nearly opened the scoring in the 78th minute, the striker did well to beat his marker before firing straight at Chigova.
Ibrahim tested Chigova two minutes later with a shot from a tight angle, but the Warriors number one held on comfortably.
Kudakwashe Mahachi got Zimbabwe's first effort on target in the 83rd minute, the winger was played in on goal but could only fire straight at Chigozie Agbim.
Two minutes later and Christian Obiozor gave the Super Eagles the lead in the 86th minute with a header from close range, after being picked out by Ejike Uzoenyi.
Here's how they lined up:
Nigeria: Chigozie Agbim, Solomon Kwambe, Francis Benjamin, Ugonna Uzochukwu, Odunlami Kunle, Azubuike Egwueke, Christian Pyagbara, Imenger Barnabas, Abubaker Ibrahim Aliyu, Obizor Christian, Abdullahi Shehu
Zimbabwe: George Chigova, Eric Chipeta, Danny Phiri, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Oscar Machapa, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Peter Moyo, Masimba Mambare, Partson Jaure, Simba Sithole, Milton Ncube
