Stephen Keshi's men got off their campaign at the African
Nations Championship on a losing note as they bowed to their West African foes.
Nigeria kicked off their debut African Nations
Championship campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Mali at the Cape Town Stadium in
Group A's second fixture.
Goals from Abdoulaye Sissoko and Adama Traore were all
Les Aigles needed to beat Stephen Keshi's men who got their lone goal through a
header from substitute Gbolahan Salami.
Djibril Dramé’s men came into the game with the intention
of avenging their defeat in the hands of the Super Eagles and also to record
their first win in the history of the competition.
The game took off on a competitive note with both sides
battling for possession but it was the French-speaking West Africans that
signified their intentions early through Ibourahima Sidibe who was adjudged
offside.
Nigeria looked like strangers on the field of play as
Mali took total control of the match and in the process piled pressure on the
Super Eagles defence. Goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim punched Abdoulaye Sissoko’s
corner kick into the waiting hands of Lassana Diarra, but his efforts was
cleared by Azubuike Egwuekwe.
The Malian dominance paid off in the 18th minute when
impressive Sissoko got the curtain raiser. The striker profited from a moment
of carelessness from Nigeria's defence as he capitalised on Egwekwe’s
deflection to thunder the ball past a hapless Agbim .
Mali continued to dominate and could have gone two goals
up but Agbim was able to save Diarra’s missile outside the penalty area.
Nigeria's best chance came in the 33rd minute after
Ugonna Uzochukwu was brought down in the danger zone of the Malians. The resulting
free kick was saved by goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite.
Les Aigles provided strong resistance in the closing
stages of the first half as Keshi’s men continued the chase for an equaliser,
though they lacked cohesion in midfield.
On resumption of the second half, Mali continued to pile
more pressure on the Nigerians' defence and got an early corner in the process
with Traore's delivery cleared off the line while Diarra's follow-up shot was
blocked.
Mali doubled their advantage in the 50th minute when
unmarked Adama Traore received a chip from Sidibe before firing the ball past
Agbim from a very tight angle.
The goal seemed to waken the Nigerians from their slumber
as they pulled a goal back through substitute
Salami in the 54th minute. The Shooting Stars striker flicked in a
header from a cross off Rabiu Ali's free
kick. All efforts to level up scores proved
futile as Drame’s men looked resolute in defence.
Nigeria’s next game is against Mozambique on January 15
at the Cape Town Stadium. The Mambas lost their opening game against hosts
South Africa 3-1 despite taking the lead.
Culled from Goal
