Sunday, 10 February 2013

Nigeria wins 3rd AFCON title

2013 AFCON Champions: Nigeria
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday at the FNB stadium, Soccer City in Soweto beat the Stallions of Burkina Faso to become the 2013 African Champions. Nigeria had last won the trophy in 1994 while Burkina Faso who entered into the match as underdogs has never won the continent’s highest football laurel. Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi was also hoping to be only the second man in history to have won the trophy both as a player and as a coach after Egyptian Mahmoud El-Gohary.

The match started with great panache and Nigeria took the game directly to their opponents early on. In the 7th minute Nigeria showed intent when Abrose rose highest in the box but his header went wide. Ideye had a chance to put Nigeria in the lead on 10 minutes after the Burkinabe keeper spilled the ball from a cross but his marksmanship let him down and he finished wide.

As the first half started winding down and looking like both teams will settle for a barren draw, quarter final hero Sunday Mba raced into the box turned a Stallions defender with his right instep before showing some quick feet and connecting home into the lower left corner of the Burkina Faso goal for Nigeria’s only goal.
Mba almost went close for a second with 30 seconds of the first half to play but his shot was way over the post. The first half ended without the Burkinabes recording a shot on goal.

The second half started with heightened expectations and the Nigerians again took the initiative to the Burkinabe goal on 47 minutes. Victor Moses raced toward the Stallion’s 18 yard box and released Ideye in the penalty box but his shot at goal missed the upright by whiskers.

The Stallions of Burkina Faso however were not going down without a fight and gave everything they had in search of the equalizer with Jonathan Pitroipa and Aristide Bancé piling pressure on the Super Eagles defence.  Sanou broke free in the Nigerian box on 73 minutes with only the keeper to beat but his shot was saved from close range by Enyeama to prevent a Burkinabe equalizer.

The Nigerians defended with their lives at times as Burkina Faso became more and more desperate trying to restore parity. Late flurries of attacking play in the last 5 minutes saw Nigeria squander a couple of chances that required  mere tap ins but the Super Eagles could not increase the tally and held on to the only goal of the match.

As African champion Nigeria will represent Africa in the Confederations Cup in Brazil later in the year.


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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous10 February 2013 at 22:48

    Congratulations to Nigeria

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  2. topsy special one12 February 2013 at 10:14

    A very big congratulations to keshi and the entire team. I personally didn't give them a chance based on the first 3 matches as they were really poor. However they turned everything around the moment they defeated CIV and there was no stopping them onwards.

    we should savor this hard earned victory for now but we should quickly get back to work to ensure we get one of the tickets to represent Africa in Brazil 2014. we have already dropped 2 points in the group stage and cannot afford to drop any more point.

    Keshi must include our best players in the team as we should not be carried away with this Nations Cup triumph. There are a no of the players he took to the AFCON that don't really meet our class. I make bold to say that players like Anichebe, Joel Obi, Osaze, Martins, Kalu Uche should be called up into the team without delay.

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