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The first semi final AFCON 2013 ignited as soon as the referee blew the whistle for the start
of the match. The Super Eagles of Nigeria immediately displayed an urgency missing from
earlier matches, making the pitch was seem filled with more green shirts than yellow. This
was soon justified by the first goal scored in the 24th minute by Echiejile, off a low cross from
the right flank where Victor Moses proved pivotal in tormenting the Malian defence. Further
goals were added by Emenike, Ideye, and substitute Musa who quickly asserted himself
when he came on in the second half of the game.
The Super Eagles, sensing victory, relaxed the tempo and pressure and perhaps felt the
fatigue of a fast and purposeful first half which, as a game strategy, stopped Mali from playing
their game. This however occasioned a beautiful goal from the Malian no. 7, who displayed
a good sense of calm and positioning in a penalty box filled with the green shirts to score a
consolation goal.
Malian spirit was never daunted as they launched a resurgence in the dying minutes of added
time, as if this could make that difference. They did come near with two misses in the 91st
and 93rd minutes before the final whistle ended the match at 4 – 1 with Nigeria on the way to
the final one more time.
