Ighalo’s Striker Crowns Nigeria as Bronze Medalist at the 2019 AFCON

Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo 3rd minutes strike was  the fastest goal so far in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations as the Super Eagles beat Tunisia 1-0 on Wednesday night to win the Bronze medal at this year’s tournament.

Nigeria got off to a great start, claiming the lead in just the third minute. Left-back Jamilu Collins provided a low cross which goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifa could only knock into the legs of defender Yassine Meriah – the loose ball fell kindly for Odion Ighalo, who poked it home from close range for his fifth goal of the tournament.

The Carthage Eagles responded well and would have gotten a quick equaliser had Ferjani Sassi’s header not been cleared off the line.

Both teams suffered injury blows just before the break, with the Carthage Eagles seeing winger Yassine Khenissi replaced by Firas Chaouat, while Nigeria’s Ighalo pulled a hamstring on the stroke of half time and was replaced by Victor Osimhen at the start of the second stanza.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have never lost in a third place game in the history of AFCON.

The tournament will wrap up on Friday night with the final between Senegal and Algeria from the Cairo International Stadium.