Nigeria have defeated 10-man Zimbabwe 1-0 in the 2014 African Nations Championship third-place playoff tie in Cape Town.

Stephen Keshi's side had the game's first chance as early as the fifth minute when a loose ball fell to Christian Pyagbara just 10 yards from goal, but the midfielder could not get his shot on target.

The Nigerians were handed a major boost on 16 minutes when Zimbabwe were reduced to 10 men.

Masimba Mambare tried to latch on to a ball from over the top, but ran straight into goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim with his foot raised and was dismissed straightaway.

However, Nigeria failed to make their numerical advantage count for the rest of the first half and went into the break locked at 0-0, despite Christian Obiozor and Aliyu Ibrahim having late chances.

Zimbabwe stepped up their fight with 10 men after the hour mark, but it was their opponents who had the better chances.

First Solomon Kwambe came inches close with a free kick, and then Pyagbara and Obiozor saw their combination foiled by Erick Chipeta.

Nigeria's second-half pressure eventually paid off five minutes from full time when Obiozor found the target, heading in Ejike Uzoenyi's right-wing cross just six yards from goal.