ACN: Super Eagles end Burkina Faso fairy tale run, claim Africa Cup of Nations

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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/nigerias-soaring-super-eagles-claim-africa-cup-of-nations/story-fn63e0vj-1226575712836

Nigeria ended a 19-year Africa Cup of Nations title drought with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the final, thanks to a late first-half goal from Sunday Mba at Soccer City in Soweto, South Africa.

It was a result that took winning coach Stephen Keshi into the record books as he equalled the feat of late Egyptian Mahmoud El Gohary by winning gold medals as a player and a coach.

Among the rewards for the Super Eagles was a $US1.5 million ($1.46m) first prize and a place at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, where they will face world and European champion Spain, Tahiti and Uruguay.

Mba, one of two home-based stars in the starting line-up, struck on 40 minutes with a penalty-box flick over Mohamed Koffi and a left-foot shot into the far corner past helpless goalkeeper Daouda Diakite.

The Super Eagles' 1-0 halftime lead was followed by a predictable script with Nigeria dominating possession and scoring chances while the Burkinabe relied largely on counter-attacks.

As the game moved into the final quarter there were chances at both ends with unmarked Musa slipping as he was poised to shoot inside the box and a Sanou drive at the other end finishing just wide of the far post.