Striker Obinna Nsofor's second-half goal gave Nigeria third place at the African Nations Cup after a 1-0 win over Algeria in the playoff Saturday. It is the fourth time in the last five tournaments Nigeria has finished as bronze medallists at the African championship. Nsofor barged through the Algeria defense after a botched clearance from Slimane Raho in the 55th minute to tuck away the only goal with a deft left-foot finish. Nsofor had missed a good opportunity six minutes earlier when Algeria's goalkeeper failed to deal with a free kick from Taye Taiwo and the ball bounced up for Nsofor to finish, but he managed to hit it into the ground and up against the bar. Both sides made several changes after their semifinal defeats Thursday. Algeria was missing three players through suspension while Nigeria gave a rare start to seasoned striker Nwankwo Kanu. Both teams head to the World Cup in South Africa later this year but Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu's position is under threat after an unimpressive showing in Angola by the Super Eagles. Togo banned Togo, which pulled out of the Africa Cup of Nations after an attack on its team bus, has been banned for the next two editions of the tournament, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said Saturday. CAF President Issa Hayatou said the decision was based on “governmental interference”, which led to Togo's decision to pull out of this year's edition. Togo decided to quit the 2010 Nations Cup after two members of its delegation were shot and killed during the ambush on the team convoy as it arrived in the restive Angolan enclave of Cabinda. The armed wing of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), embroiled in a decades-long separatist struggle, claimed responsibility for the attack. Togo, captained by Manchester City star Emmanuel Adebayor, initially wanted to remain in the competition where it was drawn in Group B with Ivory Coast, Ghana and Bukina Faso, but quit on its national government's orders. It left Cabinda to return home on the evening of the start of the competition on Jan. 10. Togo to appeal Togo will appeal the suspension, the country's sports minister said Saturday. “We shall launch an appeal. What is sure is that we will use all legal means to enforce our rights regarding their decision,” Christophe Tchao said by telephone. Egypt's Motaeb doubtful for final Egypt striker Emad Motaeb is likely to miss the final of the Africa Cup of Nations against Ghana Sunday due to a hamstring strain, team officials said. “He picked up a hamstring injury and he's likely to miss the final,” said Egypt assistant coach, Hamada Sedki. “There is not enough time between the semifinals and the final, so his chances to be fit for the game are slim.” His place could well be taken by ENPPI striker Ahmed Raouf as tournament top scorer with four goals, Mohamed ‘Gedo' Nagy has been used as a substitute. Six-time African champion Egypt is on course to win a third successive Nations Cup title. Victory will see coach Hassan Shehata become the first manager to win three consecutive championships. Ghana sweats on skipper Kingson Ghana, beset by a bagful of injuries to star players, also suffered a fresh setback Friday involving inspirational captain Richard Kingson. The Ghana and Wigan goalkeeper is one of only a handful of experienced players available to the Black Stars. But Kingson, who pulled off a series of match-winning saves in the 1-0 semifinal win over Nigeria, had to be taken to hospital in Luanda Friday to undergo tests on a groin problem. He picked up the injury in last Sunday's 1-0 quarterfinal win over hosts Angola
