Nigeria finished third for the fourth time in the last five African Nations Cup when Victor Obinna’s 54th minute goal decided this low-key bronze medal match in Benguela.

Both sides fielded shadow outfits, Algeria partly out of necessity having had three players sent-off in their fraught semi-final defeat to Egypt.

Obinna had struck the crossbar and missed another of the Super Eagles’ regular chances before shaking off a number of defenders and firing past Fennecs second-choice keeper Lamine Zemmomouche.

Mourad Meghni came closest for Algeria, firing wide shortly before half-time.