By Arinze Ude
The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated the Stallions of Burkina Faso on Sunday to win the 2013 African Cup of Nations for the first time in 19 years.
Warri Wolves midfielder, Sunday Mba was the hero of the day, scoring the lone goal in a very tight match.
Coach Stephen Keshi made only one change to the side that beat Mali in the semi-finals, with Ikechukwu Uche replacing for injured striker, Emmanuel Emenike in the starting line-up.
Burkina Faso also named playmaker, Jonathan Pitroipa in the starting eleven, after his red card against Ghana in the semi-final was rescinded by CAF prior to the final.
Nigeria, featuring in their first final since 2000, started the game as favourites against a Burkina Faso side that was featuring in their first ever final, due to their 12-game unbeaten record.
The win sees Stephen Keshi equal Egyptian Mahmoud Al Gohari’s record as the only person to win Africa’s elite competition as coach and player.
Nigeria made their intention known early in the game, attacking from the first minute. Defender Efe Ambrose had the first opportunity of the game in the seventh minute when he connected with a Victor Moses’ corner, only for the ball to fly over the bar.
Minutes later, Brown Ideye failed to capitalise on an error by the Burkinabe keeper, Daouda Diakite. Diakite came off his line to catch the ball mid-air, only to fluff his lines, with Ideye’s weak attempt failing to hit the target.
It was a huge relief for the Burkinabes who tried to get their rhythm and soak up everything thrown at them by the Nigerians.
Striker, Aristide Bance had his side’s first chance when his free kick, from 25-yards out, flew wide of the Nigerian goal.
Burkina Faso’s hearts were broken with five minutes left to play in the first half, when Mba volleyed past Diakite to give his side a deserved lead.
Moses’ blocked shot found its way to Mba, who looped the ball over an on-rushing defender before volleying the ball into the net with his left foot.
The goal increased the tempo of the match and saw a frantic end to the first half, with the Burkinabes increasing their urgency to get an equaliser.
Nigeria almost made it two immediately after the re-start, with Brown Ideye wasting his effort after he was played in by Victor Moses.
Victor Moses then wasted a golden chance to wrap up the game when he failed to take a shot at goal when one-on-one with defender Madi Panandetiguiri.
Nigeria was almost made to rue their numerous chances when Wilfred Sanou almost levelled the scores with a powerful drive but Vincent Enyeama maintained his team’s lead with a wonderful save.
Moumouni Dagano had an opportunity to send the game into extra time when he was awarded a free kick very close to Nigeria’s penalty area in stoppage time, only for him to blast his effort wide.
Nigeria held on to win their first African Cup of Nation’s title since 1994 and will represent Africa at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil where they have been grouped with World and European champions Spain, Uruguay and Tahiti.
Stephen Keshi said after the match: “Winning this is mainly for my nation – when I came on board a year and a half ago my dream was to make all Nigerians happy, and to construct a great Nigerian team, We are not there yet, it’s still in process.
“You don’t want to know what was going through my head (in the final five minutes)! To represent Africa in Brazil at the Confed Cup is an honour for Nigeria.”
Burkina Faso coach Paul Put: “We showed Nigeria a bit too much respect in the first half – in the second half we tried to do everything possible. But you have to be big when you lose and small when you win.
“Possibly, we were a little tired after two matches that went to extra-time, but I’m not going to look for excuses. The whole of Burkina Faso can be proud of their players.”
Nigeria’s Line Up:
01 Enyeama – 03 Echiejile (Oshaniwa – 67′ Booked), 05 Ambrose, 14 Obobona, 22 Omeruo (Booked) – 10 Mikel (Booked), 17 Onazi (Booked), 19 Mba (Yobo – 89′) – 11 Moses, 15 Uche (Musa – 53′), 08 Brown (Booked)
Subs: 16 Ejide, 23 Agbim, 02 Yobo, 06 Egwueke, 21 Oshaniwa, 04 Obiorah, 12 Gabriel, 13 Ogude, 20 Igiebor, 07 Musa, 18 Uzoenyi
Burkina Faso’s Line Up:
01 Diakite – 04 Kone, 08 P Koulibaly (Dagano – 84′), 12 Panandetiguiri, 05 Koffi – 06 Kone (Traore – 90′), 07 Rouamba Booked (Sanou – 65′), 11 Pitroipa, 18 Kabore – 22 Nakoulma, 15 Bance
Subs: 16 Soulama, 23 Sanou, 03 H Traore, 10 Al Traore, 13 Ouattara, 14 Balima, 17 Rabo, 20 Sanou, 21 Traore, 02 Dah, 09 Dagano, 19 PP Koulibaly
Ref: Djamel Haimoudi
Att: 85,000
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This article was first published on 11th February 2013 and updated on February 12th, 2013 at 10:33 am
pagboga
Chojare Pamela Agboga is a Legal Practitioner, Writer, Editor, Chartered Secretary and Administrator. She is currently working on her first novel 'Weekends are for Loving' as well as a devotional for women.
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