Okocha bows out with a win

The international career of Bolton’s Jay-Jay Okocha ended on a positive note today as Nigeria beat Senegal to finish third in the African Nations Cup.

A 79th-minute goal from Garba Lawal ensured the Super Eagles won the all-West African third-place play-off.

Lawal netted from close range after fine play from John Utaka, who was outstanding against the 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists.

Both these teams have surprisingly failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup but Nigeria at least made some amends for that failure with the small consolation of a third-place finish in Egypt.

They started and finished the match well in control with Senegal only showing flashes of form.

An early free-kick from 32-year-old Okocha – who announced before the tournament he was retiring from the international scene – eluded the head of Everton’s Joseph Yobo only by inches.

In the 12th minute Nigeria won a free-kick and it was lined up by Taiye Taiwo on the right flank. The Marseille player fired in a swerving, dipping delivery with his left foot which rattled the crossbar.

Senegal started to come into the game and Guiranne Ndaw saw his speculative shot from 40 yards almost catch out Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who touched the ball onto the crossbar and out for a corner.

On the hour mark West Brom’s Diomansy Kamara launched a mazy run down the right and tumbled in the Nigerian penalty area but no penalty resulted as Mali referee Koman Coulibaly correctly refused the appeals.

Obinna Nsofor’s shot forced Senegal goalkeeper Pape Mamadou Diouf to save but the Super Eagles then spurned the best chance so far.

Utaka launched another dangerous raid down the right and crossed towards Obafemi Martins but the Internazionale forward blazed over from close range.

At that point Okocha departed – to be replaced by Wilson Oruma.

More magic from Utaka almost set up Oruma who failed to connect properly and watched the ball loop up into the air and into the arms of Diouf.

The goal finally came in the 79th minute. Substitute Kanu fed Utaka who again played in a dangerous cross that eluded an attempted grasp from Diouf and fell to Lawal at the far post who found the net with his left foot.

Fulham’s Pape Bouba Diop fired a late free-kick into the Nigerian wall but the Teranga Lions never seriously threatened to get back on terms.