NIGERIA claimed their third African title on Sunday at Soccer City,
Johannesburg when they beat the Stallions of Burkina Faso by a lone goal
in the final of the 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The country’s national team, the Super Eagles crowned a spectacular outing with an inspired 40th minute effort from Sunday Mba.
Mba, one of the six home-based players from the Nigerian Premier League, NPL, had earlier made the difference in the quarter final against the dreaded Ivorien team, the Elephants scoring the winner for Nigeria in the 2-1 win.
‘’He is Sunday, he made it for Nigeria last Sunday, he has made it for us on another Sunday,’’ elated Nigerians said in reference the name of the striker turned midfielder, Sunday Mba
Mba has also justified the confidence the coaching crew had in the home based players which had six representatives in the Nigeria’s contingent to the Nations Cup.
Nigeria were African champions in 1980, 1994 and made a hat trick of titles with the third win on Sunday.
Stephen Keshi goes into the record books as the only indigenous Nigerian trainer to head Nigeria’s coaching crew that won the Africa Cup of Nations.
The late Brazilian coach, Otto Gloria masterminded the 1980 win in Lagos and Dutchman Clemens Westerhof wqas in charge when Nigeria won the cup for the second time in Tunisia way back in 1994
‘’This is not for me, it’s not about Stephen Keshi, but for the whole of Nigeria, the supporters who backed us all the way.’’
Five of Super Eagles’ players made the team of the Tournament released by CAF at the end of the 29th edition of the Africa Nations Cup on Sunday at South Africa.
Stand-in captain, Vincent Enyeama was voted the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
In defence, Nigeria’s Efe Ambrose was named among the best while John Obi Mikel got a place in the midfield.
In the attack, Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses were picked among the best strikers.
BURKINA Faso’s Jonathan has been named the Orange Man of the competition following an oustanding display at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
The France-based player enjoyed wild cheer from the fans during the final game which Nigeria won 1-0 at Soccer City on Sunday night.
He was initially declared ineligible for the final after bagging a red card in the semifinal against Ghana but the suspension was revoked by the Confederation of African Football, CAF.
Meanwhile, Mikel Obi emerged as the Most Valuable Player of the final game while Chelsea teammate, Victor Moses was named as Sumsung Player of the match.
Jonathan applauds transformation of Eagles to African champions
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Super Eagles and all Nigerians on the country’s inspiring victory in the AFCON 2013 finals on Sunday night in Johannesburg.
In a statement issued at the end of the match, the President 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.
He also commended the Minister of Sports, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, the Chairman and members of the Nigerian Football Federation and all others who contributed to the astonishing transformation of the Super Eagles from underdogs to gallant winners and glorious soccer champions of the African continent.
Signed by the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the statement said that President Jonathan believed that “the team’s amazing transformation from rank outsiders to champions was a clear manifestation of the even greater successes the country can achieve in all other fields of human endeavour if all Nigerians came together and devote their immense collective energies and resources to supporting the implementation of his Administration’s Agenda for National Transformation.”
Therefore, it stated that, as the entire nation celebrated Nigeria’s remarkable triumph in South Africa, President Jonathan urged all Nigerians to imbibe the positive lessons of the Super Eagles’ success because the fulfillment of the country’s immense potentials for greatness would 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 believed that having conquered Africa, the new Super Eagles could go on to achieve even greater glory at the World Cup in Brazil next year.
He assured the team that it would receive every necessary support and encouragement from the Federal Government for that next national assignment.
It’s our moment of glory —MarkPresident of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has urged Nigerians to savor the victory of the Super Eagles in South Africa and use it as a rallying point to further the peace and unity of the country currently challenged by unabating insecurity.
He said this in his reaction to the victory of the Super Eagles over their Burkina Faso counterpart.
Senator Mark, who led the Federal government delegation to watch the final of the 2013 African cup of Nations in South Africa, said he was pleased that the victory of the Super Eagles had offered the needed elixir and tonic to boost the peace and unity of Nigeria.
He praised the Stephen Keshi tutored boys for the success at continental championship, saying the nation owed them a great measure of gratitude.
“You deserve our honour and praise. The Federal Government and indeed all Nigerians are indebted to you.
“You have restored our dignity and pride. You deserve our honour and reward”, Mark said.
The Senate President praised the Super Eagles for the team spirit displayed throughout the competition and implored Nigerians to emulate spirit that brought the victory.
Senator Mark particularly praised the head coach of the Super Eagles and his coaching crew for a job well done, pointing out that Keshi was a child of history and destiny.
He said: “As a player and captain of the Super Eagles in 1994, Nigeria won the nations cup. As a coach of the Super Eagles in 2013, he brought honour to our dear country.
“Keshi has proved to be a great asset to the nation. The nation is proud of you.
The long journeyNIGERIA is populous, talented, naturally endowed and football-crazy
Prior to yesterday’s victory, the giant of Africa, had only won the Nations Cup on two occasions-as hosts in Lagos in 1980 and at the 1994 Africa Nations Cup in 1994.
Sunday, February 10, 2013 saw Nigeria within the arms-length of another continental success. A final game against another surprise package of Afcon 2013 finals, The Stallions of Burkina Faso. Nothing was sure for Nigeria against a team that fans believe truly opened the competition the African way with a remarkable 4-0 win over Ethiopia in a Group C game.
Not only did the scoreline emerge the highest of the competition, it was accomplished with the Stallions playing with 10 men.
Then there was the scary penalty shootout win over Ghana in the semi-final also with ten men when star forward Jonathan Pitroipa was wrongfully dismissed.
Nigerians turned to God as Imams included the Eagles in prayer notes for Juma’at services held last Friday and on Sunday, churches dressed their choir groups, ushers, pulpits in national colour combination of green-white-green.
The mobile telecommunication outfits must be smiling to the banks.
Calls, majorly on enquiries on who are going to start for the Eagles, who came in for Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike in case the pair failed to recover from injury. Can it be a game for Ike Uche, the player whose goals helped Nigeria to the Nations Cup but developed clay feet at the championship.
Then there was a late-minute joker from the Burkinabes. The enfante terrible, Alain Traore, was on the sub bench. That was a player that had been ruled out of the competition by injury but when a startling goal record of three strikes in three games.
The anxiety, tension and apprehension were delivered in devastating fashion.
Source: Tribune
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