Algeria set for Nigeria in 3rd place game
Jan 30, 2010
MAJOR tournaments are remembered for thrilling finals, last-gasp winners in knockout games and acts of heroic giant-killing. Few fans dwell on third-place play-offs between reluctant sides still preoccupied with the mistakes that cost them a place in the big showdown.
By Fred Kaweesi
in Luanda, Angola
Today, Third-place
7pm, SS3/UBC
Nigeria v Algeria
MAJOR tournaments are remembered for thrilling finals, last-gasp winners in knockout games and acts of heroic giant-killing. Few fans dwell on third-place play-offs between reluctant sides still preoccupied with the mistakes that cost them a place in the big showdown.
And for many players the disappointment of semi-final defeat far outweighs the desire to play yet another game.
But today’s Nations Cup third-place play-off between beaten semi-finalists Nigeria and Algeria should be a cracker.
It will see the Algerians give their adoring fans a final memory to cherish in what has been a quite amazing tournament for the World Cup-bound team.
Historically, the less fancied team has done well in the third-place play-off.
Buoyed by giant killing memories from earlier in the tournament, they tend to play with less regret than the side that was expected to reach the final. And they use the occasion to show the world again that they belong in football’s elite.
Nigeria’s performances in the tournament have been disastrous and the best possible result that could save coach Shuaibu Amodu is a victory.
As painful as their semi-final defeat was, there is slightly more onus on the Algerians to put in one more strong performance ahead of the World Cup.
in Luanda, Angola
Today, Third-place
7pm, SS3/UBC
Nigeria v Algeria
MAJOR tournaments are remembered for thrilling finals, last-gasp winners in knockout games and acts of heroic giant-killing. Few fans dwell on third-place play-offs between reluctant sides still preoccupied with the mistakes that cost them a place in the big showdown.
And for many players the disappointment of semi-final defeat far outweighs the desire to play yet another game.
But today’s Nations Cup third-place play-off between beaten semi-finalists Nigeria and Algeria should be a cracker.
It will see the Algerians give their adoring fans a final memory to cherish in what has been a quite amazing tournament for the World Cup-bound team.
Historically, the less fancied team has done well in the third-place play-off.
Buoyed by giant killing memories from earlier in the tournament, they tend to play with less regret than the side that was expected to reach the final. And they use the occasion to show the world again that they belong in football’s elite.
Nigeria’s performances in the tournament have been disastrous and the best possible result that could save coach Shuaibu Amodu is a victory.
As painful as their semi-final defeat was, there is slightly more onus on the Algerians to put in one more strong performance ahead of the World Cup.