Nigeria Wins Africa Cup, Breaking 19-Year Drought

Posted: February 10, 2013 - 21:49

Posted by siteadmin

By SR Sports

Nigeria today broke a 19-year record of futility in African soccer, winning the Cup of Nations in South Africa by defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
The victory completed three weeks of competition in which the Super Eagles rose from a sluggish start in the group stage to triumph over tournament favorites Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals, and Mali in the semi-final.

In today’s pulsating finale over their fellow West Africans, Nigeria signaled early and often its intention to take the trophy to Abuja, launching wave after wave of attacks in the first half.

The only goal of the match came in the 40th minute when domestic international Sunday Mba completed a sublime possession for Nigeria amidst heavy Burkinabe defending by slamming home from mid-air.

Nigeria was without its influential striker, Emmanuel Emenike, the tournament’s leading scorer who picked up an injury in the semi-final. His job fell to Ikechukwu Uke, Nigeria’s leading scorer in the qualifiers, but he did not make his usual impact, and was substituted in the 53rd minute by the pacy Ahmed Musa.

As Nigeria piled on the pressure for an insurance goal and the Burkinabes prospected for an equalizer, Nigeria in the 66th minute replaced injured defender Elderson Echiejile with Juwon Oshaniwa. In the 88th, Nigeria coach Stephen sent into battle team captain Keshi Yobo for Sunday Mba, as he sought to erect an impregnable wall in the defence and protect the lone goal.

It was enough. Despite Nigeria missing several opportunities to wrap up the game at the offensive end, the defence, which had conceded only four goals throughout the tournament, rose to the occasion, repulsing every missile and trick.

When the added four minutes of added time were over, the referee’s whistle was drowned out by a thunderous and spontaneous Nigeria roar of ecstasy all over the continent. The Super Eagles are back, and the party, in abeyance since Nigeria last took home the trophy in 1994, was on.

With the victory, Keshi became the second man to win the cup as coach and player; the first was Egyptian Mahmoud Al Gohari.

Five Nigerians picked up yellow cards in today’s gritty contest. Five: Emenike, Mikel Obi, Vincent Enyeama, Efe Ambrose and Victor Moses were also named by CAF to the Tournament XI.

Burkina Faso’s Pitropia was named the tournament’s best player, but Emenike, despite not playing in the final, was awarded the Golden Ball for the highest scorer.

Comments

15 comment(s)

Grow up friend!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 11:43.

Chidi,
For your information, Nigeria is not going to break and the people that playe that match are all Nigerians. We are a united country and have passed the era of division. People like you are still living in the past. Merit is now going to be ruling in Nigeria not tribalism by God's grace. Even if all the excellent players are Fulanis or Biroms or Akwa Iboms, so we will field them to represent our nation. stop deceiving yoursel brother...

Shame on u!

Submitted by Tobi (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 11:34.

If i have my way and can get hold of u,i wil make u c hell 4 d sabotage u started and ended in shame.

Good talk my brother - Obi D.

Submitted by Steve Osasuyi (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 11:25.

Good talk my brother - Obi D. Shehu. Forward ever backward NEVER

Irrational Humiliation!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 09:13.

Islam is the only true religion whose teaching address all phenomena. The attribute of Prophet Muhammad (S) is all encompasses toward the existance of man as a superiour being. Islam is the only religion that traces & respect the dignity of a woman in all ramification. The only religion that highlighted & explained the virtue of women in regards to their their natural being & socio-cultural existence. I AM PROUD TO BE A MUSLIM; & THANKS TO ISLAM THE ONLY TRUE RELIGION & THE ONLY SOLUTION TO HUMAN PROBLEMS

Nigeria

Submitted by From Angola (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 08:01.

It´s very interesting that the 2 goals of the nigerian player "Sunday Mba" were scored in two "Sundays" (one against Ivory Coast other against Burkina Faso).

may Allah anger desend on obi D. Shehu

Submitted by haruna (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 07:10.

May Allah purnish ur entire family 4 wat u jst said and on the last day u shald b burn in to hell fire. I pray 4 u so obi d. Shehu ameen.

NIGERIA WILL DIE IN 2014.

Submitted by Netanya (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 04:59.

Even the British did not want Nigeria to last forever. Lord Lugard gave Nigeria a life span of 100 years: 1914-2014. Legally, Nigeria will no longer have any basis for existence after 2014. Any part of Nigeria can peacefully secede from the union.

Criminals like Babangida, Obasanjo, Johnathan, and others who benefit from Nigeria are busy trying to deceive Nigerians who do not benefit from Nigeria, particularly Igbo, to continue Nigeria. They say Igbo will lose the properties they own in other parts of Nigeria if Nigeria breaks up. BULLSHIT. The fact is, when Nigeria breaks up, Igbo will still own their properties. There cannot be cases of abndon properties, because Nigeria break up will be done according to UN charter. If the Hausa or Yoruba government wants Igbo properties located in thei area, they must pay the fair market price---eminent domain.

IGBO CANNOT BE DECEIVED.

Biafara Is Dead & Buried Long Time Ago. United Nigerian Republic

Submitted by Obi D. Shehu (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 01:04.

Biafara is dead & Buried with Ojukwu long time ago. This is a new Era. United Nigerian Republic. No to Boko Haram Arewa. No to any emerging rebels. United we stand. The Hausa/Fulani are just awake to a reality not fantasy. Sheik Gumi is now fully awake to the truth & realities of life. Islam is the enemy of Nations. No more killing of women says Sheik Gumi. Islam has been warring against women. Now is the time for them to stop killing their mothers, sisters & daughters. No to prophet muhammad established plan of derogating women. No more molestation of innocent minor girls. Welcome western education. Their leaders in Saudi Arabia know the value of western healthcare hence they go around the world to recruit medical doctors. Wake up Northern Muslims! It's about time.

MY NAME IS EBUKA AND YOU ARE

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 00:39.

MY NAME IS EBUKA AND YOU ARE A MIGHTY FOOL!!!. WE ARE FIXING PROBLEMS AND YOU ARE CREATING MORE. I KNOW YOU COMMENTED SO SOMEONE ATTACKS YOU. YES I HAVE DONE THAT FOR YOU.

Eagles

Submitted by AnonymousEskay (not verified) on February 11, 2013 - 00:39.

We all, if truth be told, owe Keshi a massive apology ! We did not believe ... I cast the first stone, Steven Okechukwu Keshi, I am sorry .... find it in your heart to forgive me, and us all.

Now when Nigeria expectedly

Submitted by chidi (not verified) on February 10, 2013 - 23:48.

Now when Nigeria expectedly breaks into pieces in 2014 in respect to the pact signed in 1914, which of the ethnic groups will keep hold of the cup? I hope it will be with us Biafrans because almost all the wonderful players are from the south east/south...and the coach is an igbo too. Long live the federal republic of Biafra.

www.geoffanoke.blogspot.com

Submitted by Geoff (not verified) on February 10, 2013 - 23:09.

Up Super Eagles the comeback team.

Thanks ...... Keshi

Submitted by 100%Naija (not verified) on February 10, 2013 - 22:20.

Keshi ...... Many many thanks for this achievement and breaking the jinx that indigenous coaches cannot perform such wonders. You have written your name in the history of Nigerian and African football as one of the greatest players and coach! You deserve the greatest award - GCON - Ride On Chairman Keshi!