Now they will stand the opportunity of finding consolation with bronze medals.
Which national team players, between those from Nigeria and those from Algeria, will leave Angola with a smile covering their tears?
Nigeria – how they reached the semi-finals
Losing 3-1 to Egypt on the first day of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament was never a good sign for the Nigerians.
They bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Benin which they only just clinched. The 3-0 victory which they got against Mozambique actually showcased Nigeria at its best in their competition. They eventually sealed their place in the quarter-finals where they met Zambia.
An unconvincing goalless draw which was marked by some controversy as Zambia were denied two clear penalties was followed by a penalty shootout.
Nigeria ran away 5-4 winners in the end with goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama emerging as the hero after saving a spot kick and scoring the decisive one.
In the semis, they met Ghana and succumbed to Asamoah Gyan’s lone goal. The Super Eagles were dominant throughout most of the game but the back of the net was something they couldn’t find.
Some players showed their concern against the referee’s officiating on the day but the reality was that they had failed to reach the final of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations for yet another time since 1994.
Algeria – how they reached the semi-finals
Hit by a 3-0 shocking defeat on match-day one, Algeria had no option but to back up before suffering an early exit.
Beating Mali 1-0 gave them three vital points. They added another one through a goalless draw against Angola on the last match-day in the group stages.
Algeria’s quarter-final match against Cote d’Ivoire proved to be the ideal thriller for neutrals and for fans of the Fennecs.
They staged a miraculous comeback to deny Kader Keita’s 89th minute goal to become the match winner. Bougherra equalized in injury time before Bouzza netted the winner in extra-time. 3-2 it finished; the Desert Foxes had trampled down the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire.
But in the semis, there was no such heroism. Algeria got smashed by an Egyptian team that was driven by the wild desire of revenging itself from the defeat in Khartoum which cost the Pharaohs tickets to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Algeria started off well in defense but eventually got caught: they finished the night with eight men on the pitch and with four Egyptian goals conceded.
Quick facts and general view
After suffering such a dreadful and disgraceful result, the Desert Foxes of Algeria will have to settle for bronze.
They spiced the tournament with some good flavor of underdogs and they could mark their presence in Angola 2010 with a victory on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will be disgusted to have lost against their bitter rivals Ghana in the semis. A single goal allowed, and that was all; they never managed to equalize…
Nigeria will be playing for bronze for the seventh time in their history of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Every time they play in the third place final, they always emerge winners. Will there be a change on Saturday?
Perhaps Algeria, who have lost only once in their three third place final matches in the past, can break Nigeria’s bronze medal record.
