Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr has commented on the Super Eagles' semi-final elimination from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the hands of Algeria, courtesy of Riyad Mahrez's stunning last-minute free-kick.
With the scoreline deadlocked at 1-1, the two sides looked to be heading for extra-time when Manchester City star Mahrez proved to be the hero, netting the winner for the Desert Foxes with an excellent set-piece deep in stoppage time.
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Nigeria boss Rohr, 66, admitted that his side were tired and were keen on the game going into extra-time, a move that ultimately cost his side in their quest to clinch their fourth Afcon title.
"It was a big fight until the last minute, it was a wonderful match, I think my players wanted it to go to extra-time thinking Algeria were more tired," Rohr said post-match, as per Reuters.
"We scored an own goal, unlucky, but we have come back every time in this tournament and this time we came back on a penalty.
"But a wonderful free-kick from a football genius made the difference."
Rohr's charges will do duty against Tunisia in the third-place play-off on Wednesday evening, while Algeria will face Sadio Mane's Senegal in the final on Friday night.