Nigeria's Jamilu Collins and Tunisia's Anice Badri fight for the ball during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Al Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
CAIRO (AP) - Nigeria beat Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place game at the African Cup of Nations on Wednesday with an early goal by Odion Ighalo, the tournament's leading scorer.
Ighalo scored from close range in the third minute when he took advantage of a mix-up in the Tunisian defense at Al Salam Stadium to net his fifth goal in Egypt.
Ighalo was substituted before halftime and left the field holding his left leg, an unexpected end to a tournament where he's on course to finish as top scorer.
There are three players who could catch him in the final: Algeria pair Riyad Mahrez and Adam Ounas, and Senegal's Sadio Mane all have three goals.
Algeria and Senegal meet Friday at Cairo International Stadium, where Algeria can claim a second title and first since 1990 and Senegal can win the African Cup for the first time.
Ighalo poked home in the opening minutes at Al Salam to take advantage of the confusion in the Tunisian defense.
Tunisia goalkeeper Moez ben Cherifia dived to cut out a cross from Jamilu Collins on the left. The ball came off the keeper's hand, rebounded off defender Yassine Meriah, back onto ben Cherifia, and sat in front of goal for Ighalo to score easily.
Tunisia's best chance came right after halftime when substitute Firas Chaouat was played in by Wahbi Khazri and sliced his shot wide with only the goalkeeper in front of him. Ellyes Skhiri had a header cleared off the line in the closing minutes.
Nigeria also went close in the second half when Samuel Chukwueze whipped a left-foot shot toward the top corner and ben Cherifia dived to claw it away.
In injury time, Nigeria substitute Samuel Kalu had two free kicks saved by ben Cherifia. The first was tipped over and the second scrambled away low down.
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Nigeria's Odin Ighalo celebrates with his teammates after scoring during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Al Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri, left, and Nigeria's Ahmed Musa fight for the ball during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Al Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri and Nigeria's Jamilu Collins fight for the ball during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Al Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Nigeria's Oghenekaro Etebo reacts during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Al Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Nigeria's Odin Ighalo, left, leaves the pitch because of an injury during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between Tunisia and Nigeria in Al Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
The Associated Press
Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze runs with the ball during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Al Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Tunisia's head coach Alain Giresse gives instructions during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between Tunisia and Nigeria in Al Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
The Associated Press
Tunisian fan stands before the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between Tunisia and Nigeria in Al Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
The Associated Press