Super Eagles trash Mali 4-1 to go into Sunday's finals

Nigeria’s national team the Super Eagles on Thursday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban trashed their West African neighbours the Eagles of Mali 4-1

The match started with great expectations and was touted to be keenly contested. The first chance of the game fell to Victor Moses in the first minute of the game but his lame shot went into touch for a goal kick. Mali came nearest to breaking the deadlock on the 11^th minute through their talismanic captain Seydou Keita but his header off a corner kick went a yard off the goal.

The Malian’s continued to show their strengths in the middle of the pack as the game progressed. The tide changed when Mikel collected the ball and with an eagle’s vision floated a long pass into the Malian box to place Emenike on goal but his shot was saved by the keeper's trailing leg in the 15^th minute.

Moses rose up to the occasion for Nigeria and displayed virtuoso skills that mesmerized the Malian right back before coolly crossing the ball into the box for Elderson Echiejile to convert with a low header for the opener on 25 minutes.

Nigeria continued to press for goals and controlled the game with great confidence. Moses again broke clear through the middle with frenetic pace locating Emenike on the right, who sent a low cross into the box for Ideye to slot home on 29 minutes. Nigeria could have gone 3-0 up in the 34^th minute when Ogenyi Onazi broke free on goal but his delicate chip was well claimed by the Malian goalkeeper.

From then all it was Nigeria all through. The sustained pressure resulted in Ideye being fouled outside the Malian box on 43 minutes and the resultant free kick taken by Emenike was deflected low into the Malian post for the third goal.

The second half was no different from the first as the Super Eagles quickly settled down to business, enforcing their hold on the match. Mali tried to change the complexion of the game by making two changes at the beginning of the second half but it was Nigeria's substitution that made the immediate impact. In the 59^th minute substitute, Ahmed Musa, latched on to a Mikel pass in the heart of the middle, burst down the center towards the Malian goal and calmly slotted home through the legs of Samassa for the fourth.

In a travesty of fortunes, Mali broke on goal and could have pulled one back but for the experienced Enyeama who made a fantastic save on 72 minutes to deny Mali a goal. Mali continued to probe for respite and got a consolation through Diara In the 74th minute.

Nigeria will now wait for the winner of the second semifinal between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Stallions of Burkina Faso for Sunday’s finals.