Scoring chance for Nigeria One-two between Musa and Emenike. The striker shoots at the edge of the box. The fifth one was very close as the ball just dies a few centimetres next to the right post.
The game is now over for Mali and Nigeria are going to make a great finalist
60'
Musa receives the ball at the center of the field on the right side. Nobody to prevent him from running into the box. One on one with Samassa. 4-0 for the Super Eagles
Scoring chance for Mali Keita is found in the box on a low cross. All alone at the penalty point, the Eagles captain cannot find the net. It was a wonderful occasion to come back
Scoring chance for Nigeria Good collective play between Emenike and Moses. Ending to a throw-in by the corner line. On the throw-in Obi Mikel receives the ball at the 30 yards and shoots. His attempt just goes a few centimetres away from the right post. Close one
Both team build patiently their attacks with a lot of passes. #Barcelona
15'
Scoring chance for Nigeria Emenike in the box, takes his chance but Samassa pushes it away on Moses. The number 11 tries to find the net, but his attempt his block by the defence. Corner-kick but nothing comes from it.
The last match between the two sides ended in a 0-0 draw but prior to that it was Nigeria who defeated Mali 2-1 in 2004 to claim bronze
1'
Here we go at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The Super Eagles with the ball
The Nigeria coach said after his side's quarter-final victory over tournament favourites Ivory Coast that his knowledge of Mali would stand him in good stead, but Dalian Aerbin midfielder Keita said: "People keep saying that Nigeria will beat us on Wednesday because their coach knows the in and out of Mali having coached us in the past, but that is not true."
The Eagles had to come back from being a goal down to hold hosts South Africa to a 1-1 draw before winning the match 3-1 on penalties and Carteron believes Nigeria now have the favourites tag.
Meanwhile, Mali coach Patrice Carteron has admitted that his side will go into the match as the underdogs following their bumpy ride towards the semifinals.
"We beat the team that everyone was talking about and I think we will make it to the final this year", said Emenike.
The Super Eagles defied the odds to reach this stage of the competition as they eliminated favourites Ivory Coast 2-1 and they hope they will build momentum from their big victory.
I'm Romain Delaume and I'll be taking you through the action as Mali take on Nigeria in the first semi final of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
Good evening and welcome to StarAfrica.com live text coverage of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations
Comments
We look forward to seeing you for the second semi-final between Burkina Faso and Ghana in one and a half hour.
Thank you for following us on StarAfrica.com
We can congratulate Mali for their great tournament. But today, Nigeria were stronger.
Nigeria completely outclassed Mali for 90 minutes and their sure deserve their victory.
Nigeria make it through the final after a fantastic game of football.
Game, set and match.
Nigeria ready to celebrate....
Mali ending this match strongly and earn a corner kick. But nothing comes from it
Scoring chance for Mali
Diabaté at the edge of the box finds Diarra. The latest takes a shot, but off the target.
Additional time 3'
Scoring chance for Mali
Diabaté against Enyeama. The goalkeeper wins the duel once again
Scoring chance for Nigeria
One-two between Musa and Emenike. The striker shoots at the edge of the box. The fifth one was very close as the ball just dies a few centimetres next to the right post.
A succession of passes between the Nigerian players. Mali don't see the ball
Yellow card for
Diawara
Nigeria are now controlling the game and it's going to be like that until the end as Mali don't show any envy. It's a bit hard from them.
No fighting spirit from Mali. The Super Eagles do everything they want with the ball
15 minutes to go. Who knows...?
Goal for Mali
Diarra
It must be terrible for the Eagles fans...
Scoring chance for Mali
Samassa alone in the box. Golden opportunity but no envy and Enyeama pushes the attempt away. OMG!!!
It has been really too easy for Nigeria. For the last minutes, we only green shirts on the field
Yellow card for
Sow
Scoring chance for Mali
Diabaté in the box takes his chance. Enyeama catches the low shot
Where are the Eagles? It's a semi final and it's unbelievable to see players acting like that.
Nigeria play better and better. It seems like Mali are giving up.
Scoring chance for Nigeria
Musa receives the ball the box and scores. But Ideye is caught offside.
The game is now over for Mali and Nigeria are going to make a great finalist
Goal for Nigeria
Musa
A bit of frustation for Samassa and the Eagles. You can feel it
The Super Eagles are refusing to sit on their laurels. Terrific attacking play from the Nigerians. They are in complete control.
Mali don't seem to have the right tempo to come back
Finally Nigeria clear it away
Emenike is down but the play continues
Mali try to rush forward but the Nigerian defence is vigilant
Scoring chance for Mali
Keita is found in the box on a low cross. All alone at the penalty point, the Eagles captain cannot find the net. It was a wonderful occasion to come back
Mali are now chasing and the hunt is going to be very complicated...
The second half is under
Philippe Carteron will have to change everything if he wants to see the final
Nigeria have been playing a wonderful football game and outclassed Mali during 45 minutes.
End of the first half
Blocked by the wall
Last free-kick at the 30 yards. It has to go in...
Additional time 2'
Is that game, set and match for Nigeria? Almost...
Goal for Nigeria
Emenike
Mali still trying their slow build-up approach, no real danger so far
Nigeria look very confidence in their football and keep on attacking
Yellow card for Efe Ambrose
Ambrose
Another quick break for Nigeria and Ogenyi Onazi tries to chip the ball over Samassa, but the goalkeeper is able to collect.
Scoring chance for Nigeria
Ideye running from the 40 yards and takes his chance at the 30 yards. Samassa manages to catch the shot
Goal for Nigeria
Ideye
Goal for Nigeria
Elderson
Scoring chance for Nigeria
Good collective play between Emenike and Moses. Ending to a throw-in by the corner line. On the throw-in Obi Mikel receives the ball at the 30 yards and shoots. His attempt just goes a few centimetres away from the right post. Close one
Both team build patiently their attacks with a lot of passes. #Barcelona
Scoring chance for Nigeria
Emenike in the box, takes his chance but Samassa pushes it away on Moses. The number 11 tries to find the net, but his attempt his block by the defence. Corner-kick but nothing comes from it.
Scoring chance for Mali
Sissoko with a heavy shot at the 25 yards which goes just over the crossbar
Scoring chance for Mali
Keita's head on the corner kick passes very close from the second post
Both team are looking at each other. #Pressure
The Nigerians put a lot of pressure on the ball holder and control the game so far
The last match between the two sides ended in a 0-0 draw but prior to that it was Nigeria who defeated Mali 2-1 in 2004 to claim bronze
Here we go at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The Super Eagles with the ball
The Nigeria coach said after his side's quarter-final victory over tournament favourites Ivory Coast that his knowledge of Mali would stand him in good stead, but Dalian Aerbin midfielder Keita said: "People keep saying that Nigeria will beat us on Wednesday because their coach knows the in and out of Mali having coached us in the past, but that is not true."
The Eagles had to come back from being a goal down to hold hosts South Africa to a 1-1 draw before winning the match 3-1 on penalties and Carteron believes Nigeria now have the favourites tag.
Meanwhile, Mali coach Patrice Carteron has admitted that his side will go into the match as the underdogs following their bumpy ride towards the semifinals.
"We beat the team that everyone was talking about and I think we will make it to the final this year", said Emenike.
The Super Eagles defied the odds to reach this stage of the competition as they eliminated favourites Ivory Coast 2-1 and they hope they will build momentum from their big victory.
I'm Romain Delaume and I'll be taking you through the action as Mali take on Nigeria in the first semi final of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
Good evening and welcome to StarAfrica.com live text coverage of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations