Nigeria have won their third African Cup of Nations after seeing off Burkina Faso in a tight fought final in South Africa. The result was perhaps not a surprising one, but the fact Burkina Faso only conceded the one goal just shows how well they've performed this year.
The Nigerians were in charge during the first half without really threatening the Burkinabe defence. Brown Ideye was almost gifted the opening chance when Daouda Diakite dropped the ball but Ideye fired over. Burkina Faso couldn't muster a lot up front and chances were very few and far between. Aristide Bance was probably their most dangerous player from both open play and set pieces.
Ideye was Nigeria's best player during the first half hour but all of their attacking intent was lacking a final ball. The game finally sprung into life when the deadlock was broken five minutes before half-time. The only real highlight of the match saw Sunday Mba chip the ball over Mohamed Koffi before smashing the ball home.
Burkina Faso did try to find an equaliser immediately after with Bance again looking dangerous, although not managing to keep his shot on target. The half time whistle may have come at the wrong time for the underdogs as Nigeria began the second half in control of the ball but without creating anything once again.
Ideye should have made 2-0 but somehow missed his shot from pretty much on the goal-line with no-one their to turn the ball home. Victor Moses was once again Nigeria's most creative player but even he struggled to perform in the front of goal.
Burkina Faso came back into it during the final 15-minutes after Ahmed Musa fell over in their box when Efe Ambrose looked to have set him up. Wilfried Sanou thought he had equalised but Vincent Enyeama somehow produced a wondrous save to stop the effort finding the top corner.
Ideye was again guilty of missing a chance to put the game beyond all doubt towards the end of the game. But Nigeria managed to hold on to prevent Burkina Faso from doing a Zambia and the Super Eagles can now celebrate their third victory before trying to defend it in two years' time.
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