At a packed FNB Stadium, Johannesburg in South Africa, Sunday Mba’s splendid strike on the 40th minute was enough to hand the Super Eagles the Africa Cup of Nations trophy for the third time. Against the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the final match,
Nigeria dominated proceedings from start to finish. The score line would have been more but for poor marksmanship on the part of the Nigerian strikers.The solitary strike came with a flourish. Victor Moses’ shot from inside the area was blocked by the Burkinabes’ defence. The ball met Mba, who flicked it past one defender before poking his strike past keeper Daouda Diakite. Nigeria did not let off the attacking blitz as they pressed for more goals.
The Super Eagles twice went close to scoring inside a minute. Victor Moses got close from two yards out but he was denied by keeper Daouda Diakite, then Brown Ideye failed to get on the end of a ball across goal.
Stephen Keshi captained Nigeria to the 1994 title now he has coached the Super Eagles to their third Africa Cup of Nations title.It is the first time in 21 years that a black African coach has won the cup – Ivory Coast’s Yeo Martial was the last to do so in 1992.After Nigeria and Burkina Faso played out a 1-1 draw in their group match early on in the competition, the Super Eagles had grown in stature and went into the game as favourites.
Meanwhile, there were wild scenes of celebrations across major cities of Nigeria last night as citizens poured into the streets to toast the Super Eagles win. Fireworks lit up Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country.
President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated the Super Eagles and all Nigerians on the country’s inspiring victory in the AFCON 2013 finals in Johannesburg.President Jonathan in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, thanked Coach Stephen Keshi and all members of the team who have worked very hard and played with great focus, dedication, artistry and patriotism to make Nigeria the proud champions of Africa once again after 19 years of setbacks in the competition.
The President also commended the Minister of Sports, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, the Chairman and members of the Nigerian Football Federation and all others who have contributed to the astonishing transformation of the Super Eagles from underdogs to gallant winners and glorious soccer champions of the African continent.President Jonathan said he believes that the team’s amazing transformation from rank outsiders to champions is a clear manifestation of the even greater successes the country can achieve in all other fields of human endeavour if all Nigerians come together and devote their immense collective energies and resources to supporting the implementation of his Administration’s Agenda for National Transformation.
He said as the entire nation celebrates Nigeria’s remarkable triumph in South Africa, he wants all Nigerians to imbibe the positive lessons of the Super Eagles’ success because the fulfillment of the country’s immense potentials for greatness will be more speedily attained if more Nigerians resolve to emulate the team’s exemplary unity of purpose, dedication, commitment and devotion to service of the nation.The President also noted that he believes that having conquered Africa, the new Super Eagles can go on to achieve even greater glory at the World Cup in Brazil next year. He assures the team that it will receive every necessary support and encouragement from the Federal Government for that next national assignment.
President Jonathan thanked the Government of South Africa and the Confederation of African Football for a well-organised tournament and looks forward to receiving the victorious Super Eagles in Abuja on Tuesday.
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