The dynamic and intelligent
young Nigerians gave ample and
empathic demonstration that
Eagles (Mali) and Super Eagles
(Nigeria) "no be mate" as they
say in Nigeria - meaning they are not equal. A comprehensive 4-1 destruction
typified by cerebral play. I
thought Finidi George's wily
football intelligence had been
transplanted into all 11 players
on the pitch, so utter was their control of the game, so
completely did they implement
their gameplan through
rhythmic, intricate passing and
constant convoluted movement
which confounded a hapless Mali. I have not ever watched Nigeria
play in this manner in my whole
experience, not even the
dynamite 1994 side which is
regarded as the touchstone
Nigeria team. So Nigeria in its 13th CAN semi-
final since emerging as a power
in the African game during the
1976 tournament in Ethiopia,
wins this one to make it 7 semi-
final wins in total. The unfortunate statistic of
course is that out of 6 finals
played before now, we have won
only 2 --1980 v. Algeria and 1994
v. Zambia. The rest have been
defeats, 3 (1984, 88 and 2000) to Cameroon and one to Algeria
(1990). So at the end of the day...this
will make for a nervous 90
minutes on Sunday because as
we see, for Nigeria nothing is
etched in stone. Especially in the
finals.