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The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, where Nigeria faced Burkina Faso, remains one of the most significant matches in African football history. The game took place on February 10, 2013, at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. In this article, we’ll look closely at the Nigeria vs Burkina Faso 2013 line up, the key moments of the match, and the statistics that defined the encounter.
Nigeria vs Burkina Faso 2013 Line Up: Key Players & Formation
In the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria and Burkina Faso both made impressive runs to the final.
Nigeria, with their star-studded squad, were favoured to win, but Burkina Faso, with their surprise journey to the final, looked determined to create history.
Key Match Details
- Date: February 10, 2013
- Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Attendance: 85,000 spectators
- Referee: Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria)
Nigeria emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, thanks to a goal from Sunday Mba in the first half.
The match was closely contested, but Nigeria’s attacking threat and solid defence were key in their victory.
Nigeria’s 2013 Squad: Tactical Strength
Let’s dive into the Nigeria vs Burkina Faso 2013 line up and the players who made it happen for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria’s squad in the final was a blend of experienced players and emerging stars.
The Nigerian Formation
In the final, Nigeria set up in a 4-3-3 formation. This allowed them to control the midfield and quickly transition into attack, especially through the speed of Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa.
Here’s how the Nigerian team lined up:
- Goalkeeper: Vincent Enyeama
- Defenders: Elderson Echiejile, Joseph Yobo (captain), Godfrey Oboabona, Efe Ambrose
- Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Nosa Igiebor, Fegor Ogude
- Forwards: Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa
Nigeria’s tactical approach was to dominate possession and break quickly on the counter.
This strategy paid off, as Sunday Mba scored the decisive goal in the 40th minute.
Burkina Faso’s Journey to the Final: Surprising Underdog
While Nigeria were favourites to win the final, Burkina Faso was the surprise team of the tournament.
Their organized defence and quick counter-attacks had propelled them to the final, where they were looking to continue their fairy-tale run.
Burkina Faso’s Formation and Tactics
Burkina Faso lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, much like Nigeria. They relied on their defensive stability, to frustrate Nigeria and capitalize on any counter-attacking opportunities.
Here’s how the Burkinabe team lined up:
- Goalkeeper: Daouda Diakité
- Defenders: Mohamed Koffi, Bakary Koné, Paul Koulibaly, Saïdou Panandétiguiri
- Midfielders: Florent Rouamba, Djakaridja Koné, Jonathan Pitroipa
- Forwards: Moumouni Dagano (captain), Aristide Bancé, Hugues-Wilfried Dah
Although Burkina Faso had a few opportunities to score, they were unable to break Nigeria’s solid defence.
Still, their performance was commendable, and reaching the final was an achievement in itself.
Nigeria vs Burkina Faso 2013 Goal Scorer: Sunday Mba
The pivotal moment of the match came in the 40th minute when Sunday Mba scored a stunning goal for Nigeria. The move started with a quick counter-attack that caught the Burkinabe defence off-guard.
Mba latched onto the ball and finished with a calm, well-placed shot to put Nigeria ahead.
This goal proved to be the only one of the match, and it was enough for Nigeria to secure the 2013 African Cup of Nations title.
Nigeria vs Burkina Faso 2013: Match Stats
Let’s now look at the match statistics, which highlight Nigeria’s dominance in key areas.
- Possession: Nigeria – 58%, Burkina Faso – 42%
- Shots on Target: Nigeria – 4, Burkina Faso – 1
- Corners: Nigeria – 5, Burkina Faso – 2
- Fouls: Nigeria – 12, Burkina Faso – 15
These stats show that Nigeria had more control over the game, especially in terms of possession and shots on target.
Burkina Faso struggled to create clear-cut chances, which ultimately led to their defeat.
Nigeria vs Burkina Faso: Key Players of the 2013 Final
In every major match, there are standout performers. Let’s take a look at some of the key players from Nigeria vs Burkina Faso 2013.
Nigeria’s Star Players
- John Obi Mikel: Mikel was the heartbeat of Nigeria’s midfield, controlling the tempo of the game and making crucial passes.
- Victor Moses: Moses was a constant threat on the left wing, using his pace and dribbling skills to challenge Burkina Faso’s defence.
- Sunday Mba: Mba’s goal was the difference in the match, and his performance in the final was a standout.
Burkina Faso’s Top Performers
- Jonathan Pitroipa: Pitroipa was the most dangerous player for Burkina Faso, constantly looking to create chances for his teammates.
- Bakary Koné: Koné was solid at the back, but he couldn’t stop Nigeria’s attacking flow.
Conclusion: Nigeria’s AFCON Triumph
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and Burkina Faso was an exciting and closely contested match.
Nigeria’s 1-0 win gave them their third continental title, and the victory marked the culmination of a strong tournament performance.
Burkina Faso, despite their loss, made a remarkable run to the final, and their performance throughout the tournament was impressive.
The Nigeria vs Burkina Faso 2013 result showed Nigeria’s dominance on the day, but Burkina Faso can hold their heads high for reaching the final.
Article updated 1 week ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.