final I decided to give some youngsters a chance. I think they did well and our side has a great future." Nigeria, on the other hand, started with their strongest team, but Eguavoen had to replace teenage sensation John Mikel Obi - who had to sit out injured. The Super Eagles could have taken the lead after 12 minutes through Taiye Taiwo, whose powerful freekick slammed against the underside of the cross bar, but bounced down in front of the line. Nigeria had another chance in the 36th minute when a cross found Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins in the area, but he failed to control the ball and it came to Obinna Nsofor, but he too made a hash of things. Midway through the second half Eguavoen replaced captain Jay-Jay Okocha, who was playing his last game for the Super Eagles with Nwankwo Kanu and the lanky striker soon left his mark on the match as he was involved in Nigeria's goal in the 79th minute. A cross from John Utaka from the right found Lawal in space and goalkeeper Pape Mamadou Diouf could do nothing as the ball crashed past him into the net. After referee Koman Coulibaly's final whistle, a brief presentation was held at which the Nigerian players received their bronze medals. --SP 23 27 Local Time 20 27 GMT
