Coach Stephen Keshi (R) celebrating his stunning victory over Mali
Nigeria's Super Eagles have qualified for their seventh African Cup of
Nations after an impressive display in beating Mali 4-1 on Wednesday at
the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban.
After taking a 3-0 cushion into the half time courtesy of defender,
Elderson Echiejile, who scored his first ever goal for Nigeria in the
25the minute, Brown Ideye (32) and Mali's Momo Sissoko, who deflected
Emmanuel Emenike's powerful free kick into his own net in the 40th
minute; Nigeria added a fourth goal in the 60th minute through
substitute Musa Ahmed, who sprang the offside trap and slid his shot
under the body of Mali keeper, Mamadou Samassa
Cheick Diarra made the score line a bit respectable for the Malians after finding a goal in the dying minutes of the match.
This will be the Super Eagles first final appearance since losing to
the Indomitable Lions on home soil in 2000, when Nigeria co-hosted the
tournament with Ghana.
The result has truly vindicated Stephen Keshi’s decision to exclude
many of the established names like Osaze Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins
from the Super Eagles while placing his faith in six home-based players.
The Eagles will now meet the winner of the second semi-final between Ghana and Burkina Faso in Sunday’s final.
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