SAMBA Diakite was an unused substitute for Mali as they were dumped out of the Africa Cup of Nations today.
The Eagles were thrashed 4-1 by Nigeria in Wednesday’s semi-final as they missed out on the opportunity to make the final.
Nigerian defender Elderson Echiejile opened the scoring, heading home Victor Moses' cross, before Brown Ideye bundled past Mali keeper Mamadou Samassa.
The Super Eagles made it three with Emmanuel Emenike's shot deflecting in off Mali midfielder Momo Sissoko.
Substitute Ahmed Musa stroked home Nigeria's fourth, before Cheick Diarra grabbed a consolation for the Eagles.
Diakite was only included on the bench after being forced off in Mali’s quarterfinal with a head injury.
Mali now face a third and fourth placed play-off match on Saturday with the losers of the other semi final, Burkina Faso or Ghana.