Africa Cup of Nations

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Africa Cup of Nations | Quarter-Finals

Feb 3, 2013 at 3pm UK

Ivory Coast
1-2
Nigeria

Nigeria beat Ivory Coast to make semi-finals

By Sian Cowper, Reporter | 03 February 2013

A late winner from Sunday Mba puts Nigeria through to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of the Ivory Coast.

Nigeria have sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast.

Sunday Mba is mobbed by his team mates after scoring the winner against Ivory Coast on February 3, 2013 © PA Photos

Emmanuel Emenike had the first genuine chance of the clash after Ideye Brown fed the ball to him, but he mishit the finish to send the ball well high of the crossbar.

However, Emenike made amends for the miss just before half time, firing the ball past Boubacar Barry directly from a free kick on the edge of the penalty area to put Nigeria ahead.

Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike takes a free kick to score the opening goal of the match against Ivory Coast on February 3, 2013 © PA Photos

The Ivorians found themselves in some strong positions during the opening 45 minutes, but lacked accuracy in front of goal.

An aggressive start to the second half saw the Elephants awarded a free kick in a dangerous position for a foul on Didier Drogba.

The ball was floated into the box and found its way to an unmarked Chieck Tiote, who headed it home for his first international goal to level the scores.

Gervinho and Didier Drogba celebrates their team's equaliser against Nigeria on February 3, 2013 © PA Photos

Both sides pushed hard for a winner, but it was the Super Eagles who edged ahead, Sunday Mba lashing a 20-yard strike into the Ivory Coast goal inside the final 15 minutes.

The Ivorians kept searching for an equaliser deep into injury time, but they were unable to beat the Nigerian defence again.

Nigeria will face Mali in the last four on Wednesday.