Mali vs. Nigeria: 6 Things We Learned from AFCON Semifinal

Nigeria players celebrate their AFCON semifinal win over Mali.
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Nigeria made light work of their Africa Cup of Nations semifinal to progress to Sunday's final in Johannesburg.

A 4-1 victory over Mali ensured the Super Eagles reached their first AFCON Final since 2000 with goals from Elderson Echiejile, Ideye Brown, a Momo Sissoko own goal and Ahmed Musa.

Cheick Diarra scored a consolation for Mali, who fell at the semifinal stage for the second consecutive time.

But what did we learn from today's game in Durban? Read on to find out.

Nigeria Coach Stephen Keshi Knows How to Exact Revenge

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi avenged his 2010 sacking by Mali.
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Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi was sacked from the same role with Mali after the team failed to qualify from the group stages of the 2010 African Cup of Nations Finals.

The former Nigeria International hinted at interference in his team selection as BBC Sport reported after a win over Malawi had failed to see Mali progress from Group A.

Keshi, 51, and his technical and medical staff were axed by the Malian Football Federation (BBC Sport) nine days after the win over Malawi.

That decision returned to haunt the MFF as Keshi guided his team to a comfortable win over Mali today.

Emmanuel Emenike Is Nigeria's Not-so-Secret Weapon

Emmanuel Emenike 'scored' Nigeria's third goal against Mali.
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Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike might not receive the media attention reserved for international teammates such as John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses, but his role as a lone forward has been pivotal to the team's success at the African Cup of Nations this year.

The Spartak Moscow forward, 25, has been in inspirational form in South Africa and left defenders constantly in his wake in the quarterfinal win over Ivory Coast.

Against Mali today, Emenike was again in his imperious stride, working hard to hold the ball up and proved to be very difficult to mark inside the Mali penalty area.

He created the second goal for Brown with a fine cross into the area and his free-kick was deflected home by Mali midfielder Sissoko on the stroke of halftime.

Emenike left the field after holding his leg following a long-range attempt on goal and Nigeria will be holding its collective breath awaiting news on the forward, who is currently the tournament's leading goal scorer.

Chelsea's Loss Is Nigeria's Gain

John Obi Mikel keeps a close eye on former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba during the AFCON quarterfinal between Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
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Is it any coincidence that Chelsea are suffering a dip in form while Nigeria pair John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses are spearheading Nigeria's pursuit of the African Cup of Nations trophy?

The Stamford Bridge club's loss of form is more complicated than simple absences but Mikel has been running AFCON matches for Nigeria, dictating the tempo of games and providing the creativity to release Emenike up front and his Chelsea colleague Moses.

Mikel is playing a less restricted role with the Super Eagles and making the transition seamlessly, while Moses terrorized the Mali defense with his pace, skill and ability to switch flanks throughout the semifinal win.

Mikel has not played for Chelsea since the Boxing Day win at Norwich, while Moses' last appearance for the Blues was the 5-1 FA Cup win at Southampton on January 5.

Chelsea have won only twice in eight games since that cup victory and their return cannot come soon enough for interim manager Rafael Benitez.

Peter Odemwingie Just Saw His Week Get Even Worse

Nigeria winger Peter Odemwingie was surplus to requirements for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
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West Bromwich Albion winger Peter Odemwingie was left humiliated last week when his trip to Queens Park Rangers proved fruitless six days ago.

The Nigeria international was stranded in a car park after travelling to Loftus Road in the belief he was about to join the Premier League strugglers, as the Daily Telegraph reported.

However, the 31-year-old had previously been incensed when Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi omitted him from his initial 32-man squad for the African Cup of Nations in December along with striker Obafemi Martins.

Odemwingie used his Twitter account to hit out at Keshi after his omission, as BBC Sport reported, but the Nigeria coach said the player was not needed for the Finals.

Nigeria certainly haven't missed the presence of the former Lokomotiv Moscow man.

Mali Team Selection Proved Wrong

Striker Cheick Diabate came off the bench to improve Mali in the AFCON semifinal defeat by Nigeria.
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Mali held their own in the opening 20 minutes of the African Cup of Nations semifinal against Nigeria, but were undone by three goals before halftime.

Mali coach Patrice Carteron made four changes to his team from the quarterfinal victory over South Africa, but only goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa could emerge from the defeat deserving any credit.

The match passed Mali captain Seydou Keita by as his teammates struggled to contain a rampaging Victor Moses and the persistent threat of Mikel, Brown and Emenike.

However, when Carteron brought in Diarra to replace the ineffective Modibo Maiga, it created a new dynamic for Mali.

But it was Cheik Diabate's arrival for Momo Sissoko in the 56th minute which suggested Carteron had made a mistake with his initial line-up.

Diarra and Diabate combined to cause the only real threat to Nigeria throughout the match and the Rennes player clawed a goal back courtesy of Diabate's skill and vision inside the area in the 75th minute.

That goal alone should leave Mali supporters and Carteron asking themselves "what if?" tonight.

Nigeria Can Return to Dominance of African Football

Ahmed Musa is one of the young stars in the Nigeria squad.
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Nigeria reached the African Cup of Nations with an average age of 23 in their team and the future looks bright under coach Keshi.

Musa came off the bench to provide a fresh impetus in the second half against Mali and scored the Super Eagles' fourth goal when he raced on to a through ball before coolly slotting under goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa.

Musa is still only 20, while international teammate Moses is 22 and John Obi Mikel (25), Brown (24) and Emenike (25) are hardly aged veterans. That said, Nigeria supporters are looking at an interesting few seasons ahead.

Victory on Sunday in the AFCON Final would be Nigeria's first since 1994 and could propel the team to even greater heights with the 2014 World Cup Finals approaching.