It was another tough evening for the Super Falcons of Nigeria as they took on the Fennecs of Algeria in their final group stage game of the Women's African Cup of Nations.
Although an inconsequential tie with the Falcons already through to the last 16, it was also a tie that could determine the Quarter final opponents for the two sides.
Coach Justin Madugu put out an almost-totally-different starting eleven from the one that took on Tunisia and Botswana in the first two group stage games, with Michelle Alozie, Ashleigh Plumptre, Rinsola Babajide, Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne, Halimatu Ayinde all benched.
The Falcons began proceedings on a fast paced note, with the ladies piling the pressure early on.
17 minutes in, Jennifer Echegini tried a strike from the edge of the area, but her effort was wide off target.
Five minutes later, a brilliant pass was played for Ifeoma Onumonu, but Algerian defender Ouassila Alouache got in the way, and prevented the strike, but at the expense of a cornerkick.
Francisca Ordega stood over the ball, and attempted to swing it directly into the goal, but Chloe N'gazi got a hand to it, and tipped it over the crossbar.
The Falcons kept going. Rasheedat Ajibade was played into space down the right, and the captain swung a well weighted ball into the box, but Chinwendu Ihezuo just couldn't get a head to it.
Seconds to the half hour mark, Francisca Ordega used her strength to weave through the Algerian defence and laid a nice ball for Ifeoma Onumonu, but the striker couldn't connect.
It thus finished goalless at the break.
Just minutes into the second period, Francisca Ordega once again got in a dangerous area, bearing through on goal, but N'gazi once again did just enough to prevent her from driving it in.
Coach Madugu soon made some changes as he looked to grab the winner, bringing on Rinsola Babajide and Folashade Ijamilusi, in place of Chiwendu Ihezuo and Miracle Usani, as he had already replaced Ifeoma Onumonu with Esther Okworonkwo minutes earlier.
Jennifer Echegini once again was called into action after a brilliant cut back from Rasheedat Ajibade, but her strike was once again off target.
Folashade Ijamilusi had her first chance since coming on, but her effort was just into the side netting.
The Falcons kept on piling the pressure as the game reached it's latter stages, with Jennifer Echegini once again getting the ball inside the area, but her effort was off target.
Three minutes to the 90, Rasheedat Ajibade flung a good ball into the box, but the onrushing Rinsola Babajide and Ordega couldn't reach.
The Algerians then reverted to a sturdy defensive structure as they looked to close out the draw and seal their place as the second placed team.
This result also means the Super Falcons would be facing Zambia in the Quarter finals, a tie that would test their defensive resolution, as they face a rather blistering attack of Rachael Kundananji and Barbra Banda.