2013 Africa Cup of Nations Final

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Final was a football match that took place on 10 February 2013 to determine the winner of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The match was held at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg which also hosted the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations Final and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final. The tournament's closing ceremony was held just prior to kick-off. The decision was announced in May 2012.[2][3] The final was contested between Nigeria and Burkina Faso.[4]

2013 Africa Cup of Nations Final
FNB Stadium in Johannesburg hosted the final
Event2013 Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria Burkina Faso
1 0
Date10 February 2013 (2013-02-10)
VenueFNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Man of the MatchJohn Obi Mikel (Nigeria)[1]
Fair Player of the MatchBakary Koné (Burkina Faso)[1]
RefereeDjamel Haimoudi (Algeria)
Attendance85,000

Sunday Mba scored the only goal as Nigeria won the final 1–0.[5] Hence, Nigeria then represented CAF at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.[6]

Background

Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 and 1994, and were losing finalists in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000. Despite this, Nigeria were not favorites coming into the tournament due to a decline in its fortunes, as a result of which Nigeria did not even qualify for the tournament in 2012. New coach Stephen Keshi had brought young, home-based players such as Sunday Mba and Godfrey Oboabona, and foreign-based players like Victor Moses, Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike, Brown Ideye, John Obi Mikel and Uwa Elderson Echiéjilé who were crucial to Nigeria's run in the tournament. Their first match was a 1–1 draw to Burkina Faso, where Nigeria scored through Emenike but Burkina Faso's Alain Traoré cancelled out the lead with moments to go.[7] They then drew with defending champions Zambia 1–1, as another late goal from a Penalty kick by Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene cancelled out Emenike's second goal of the tournament.[8] In their last group game against Ethiopia, they were going out to Zambia for a worse booking record, but thanks to Chelsea F.C. midfielder Moses, the Nigerians won 2–0 and advanced at the expense of the defending champions.[9] In the quarters, they defeated pre-tournament favorites Ivory Coast 2–1 in a shocking upset where Emenike and Mba scored goals.[10] Keshi's gamble of including six home-based players in the squad paid further dividends as Nigeria crushed Mali 4–1 in the semis (goalscorers Echiejele, Ideye, Musa and Emenike[11])[12] If the disputed goal is included, Emenike will be the tournament's joint top scorer with four goals along with Ghana's Mubarak Wakaso coming into the final.

On the other hand, Burkina Faso had reached the semi-finals of the tournament once when they hosted in 1998, but they had never won an away match in AFCON and had a winless streak of 26 matches. In addition to that, in 2012, they exited at the group stage of the AFCON without a win, and were almost eliminated by the Central African Republic in qualifying, before Alain Traore saved them from elimination. Traore also saved them from a defeat against Nigeria in the opening Group match.[13] The turnaround came with a 4–0 thrashing of Ethiopia, where Traore, Jonathan Pitroipa and Djakaridja Kone all scored,[14] before drawing with Zambia 0–0 to send the reigning champions home for the first time since 1992.[15] In a difficult pitch in Nelspruit, Pitroipa's extra time goal brought a 1–0 victory over Togo in the quarterfinals.[16][17] In a stadium which had virtually become Burkina's home ground after playing four matches there,[18] they defeated Ghana in the semis through penalties after Aristide Bance and Ghana's Mubarak Wakaso both scored in a 1–1 draw, and underdogs Burkina Faso under Belgian coach Paul Put had qualified to their maiden final.[19][20][21]

As statistics stood after the semifinals, Emenike was Nigeria's top scorer with 4 goals and Traore was Burkina Faso's top scorer with 3 goals, but he had been ruled out of the tournament after the group stages due to thigh injury.[22][23]

On 8 February 2013, after receiving a protest made by the Football Association of Burkina Faso, the Africa Cup of Nations Organizing Committee ruled to overturn the second yellow card received by Burkina Faso forward Jonathan Pitroipa in the semifinal, meaning he was eligible to play in the final.[24]

Route to the final
Nigeria Round Burkina Faso
Opponent Result Group stage Opponent Result
 Burkina Faso 1–1 Match 1  Nigeria 1–1
 Zambia 1–1 Match 2  Ethiopia 4–0
 Ethiopia 2–0 Match 3  Zambia 0–0
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Burkina Faso 312051+45
 Nigeria 312042+25
 Zambia 30302203
 Ethiopia 301217−61
 Final standings
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Burkina Faso 312051+45
 Nigeria 312042+25
 Zambia 30302203
 Ethiopia 301217−61
Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result
 Ivory Coast 2–1 Quarterfinals  Togo 1–0 (aet)
 Mali 4–1 Semifinals  Ghana 1–1 (aet) (3–2 pen.)

Match details
Nigeria 1–0 Burkina Faso
Mba  40' Report
Attendance: 85,000
Nigeria
Burkina Faso
GK1Vincent Enyeama (c)
RB5Efe Ambrose
CB22Kenneth Omeruo 57'
CB14Godfrey Oboabona
LB3Uwa Elderson Echiéjilé 66'
CM17Ogenyi Onazi 38'
CM10John Obi Mikel 57'
AM19Sunday Mba 89'
RW11Victor Moses
LW8Brown Ideye 90+2'
CF15Ikechukwu Uche 54'
Substitutions:
FW7Ahmed Musa 54'
DF21Juwon Oshaniwa 71' 66'
DF2Joseph Yobo 89'
Manager:
Stephen Keshi
GK1Daouda Diakité
RB5Mohamed Koffi
CB4Bakary Koné
CB8Paul Koulibaly 84'
LB12Saïdou Panandétiguiri
CM6Djakaridja Koné 90'
CM7Florent Rouamba 33' 65'
AM18Charles Kaboré (c)
RW22Prejuce Nakoulma
LW11Jonathan Pitroipa
CF15Aristide Bancé
Substitutions:
FW20Wilfried Sanou 65'
FW9Moumouni Dagano 84'
MF21Abdou Razack Traoré 90'
Manager:
Paul Put

Man of the Match:[1]
John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)

Fair Player of the Match:[1]
Bakary Koné (Burkina Faso)

Assistant referees:
Redouane Achik (Morocco)
Jean-Claude Birumushahu (Burundi)
Fourth official:
Rajindraparsad Seechurn (Mauritius)

Match summary

Despite the narrow margin of victory, Nigeria's win was considered a comfortable one, and the outsiders Burkina Faso were described as looking tired.[25]

Early play in the match was characterised by bursts down the wings from Victor Moses, and two close chances for the Super Eagles. The first was a seventh-minute header from Efe Ambrose off a Moses' free kick, and the second a Brown Ideye shot that flew over the crossbar.[25][26] Burkina Faso showed little threat in the first half, and spent a lot of time in their own territory.[25][27] Sunday Mba scored the only goal of the game after 40 minutes, when he collected a deflected shot, flicked the ball over Mohamed Koffi with his right foot, then volleyed the goal with his left.[25][28]

Nigeria had several chances to extend their lead in the second half, but none were converted.[25] In the 77th minute, Wilfried Sanou forced a fingertip save from Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama to prevent an equaliser.[29][30]

Reaction

Burkina Faso head coach Paul Put conceded that his team "showed Nigeria a bit too much respect in the first half", but contended that "The whole of Burkina Faso can be proud of their players."[25]

Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi declared "Winning this is mainly for my nation". Looking forward to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup he said "To represent Africa in Brazil at the Confed Cup is an honour for Nigeria."[25] This victory made Keshi the second man, after Mahmoud El-Gohary, to win the Cup of Nations as both player and coach.[29]

References
  1. "Orange AFCON 2013 player Awards final". Orange Africa Cup of Nations South Africa 2013. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  2. Clarification On Afcon Venues Archived 2013-06-25 at the Wayback Machine Soccerladuma. Retrieved 21 January 2013
  3. OFFICIAL: Host cities announced Kickoff. Retrieved 21 January 2013
  4. "Sunday Mba scored a magnificent winner as Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time". BBC Sport. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  5. "Nigeria 1–0 Burkina Faso". BBC Sport. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  6. "Mba's wondergoal wins African Cup of Nations for Nigeria". Eurosport. 10 February 2013. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  7. Last minute Traore goal earns Burkina Faso a draw Official Website. Retrieved 8 February 2013
  8. Mwenee magic keeps Zambia in contention after draw with Nigeria Official Website. Retrieved 8 February 2013
  9. Moses sends the Super Eagles to the quarter-finals Official Website. Retrieved 8 February 2013
  10. Keshi's gamble secure Nigerian victory Official Website. Retrieved 8 January 2013
  11. Emenike's goal is disputed. While Goal.com and FIFA.com cite Emenike with the goal, BBC says it was an own-goal by Malian defender Mohamed Sissoko.
  12. Super Eagles soar to the AFCON Finals Official Website. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  13. Afcon 2013 : Ethiopia seek to deepen Burkina’s Cup woes African Top Sports. Retrieved 8 February 2013
  14. Burkina Faso rout Ethiopia 4–0 to lead group C Official Website. Retrieved 8 February 2013
  15. Burkina Faso hold out for a draw to knock out holders Zambia Official Website. Retrieved 8 February 2013
  16. Pitroipa's extra-time goal sends Burkina Faso into semi-finals Official Website. Retrieved 9 February 2013
  17. Long may the dream carry on –Burkina Faso’s Wilfried Sanou Official Website. Retrieved 9 February 2013
  18. Burkina ready to ambush Ghana in Nelspruit Official Website. Retrieved 9 February 2013 Archived 9 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  19. Burkina Faso beat Ghana to reach first ever AFCON final Official Website. Retrieved 9 February 2013 Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  20. New era dawns on Burkina Faso football Official Website. Retrieved 9 February 2013 Archived 10 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  21. The Stallions never seize to amaze Official Website. Retrieved 9 February 2013 Archived 10 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  22. Statistics after the semi-finals Official Website. Retrieved 9 February 2013 Archived 10 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  23. Thigh injury forces Traore’s AFCON to come to an end Official Website. Retrieved 9 February 2013 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  24. "Jonathan Pitroipa eligible for the Final". Orange Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa 2013. 8 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  25. Hughes, Ian (10 February 2013). "BBC Match Report". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  26. "Nigeria wins Africa Cup of Nations". sbs.com.au. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  27. "Nigeria wins African Cup of Nations". ESPN FC. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  28. "Nigeria 1 Burkina Faso 0 Match Report". Goal.com. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  29. Wilson, Jonathan (February 10, 2013). "Africa Cup of Nations 2013: Sunday Mba gives Nigeria victory at last". The Guardian. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  30. "Nigeria 1 Burkina Faso 0". Soccerway. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
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