Uche Nwofor bagged his third goal of the tournament in the first half, and Stanley Okoro claimed his second with a penalty on the stroke of full time, after Kayode Olanrewaju was felled in the box.
A grim performance, littered with stray passing, ended in a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their second group game of the campaign.
A 2-0 defeat of Gambia sealed qualification without being convincing, but the same cannot be said of the semifinal triumph over Group A winners Mali.
The Flying Eagles never looked in danger of conceding from the Malians, who only mustered one effort in target in 90 minutes.
And when Nwofor tapped in from close range after just 22 minutes, the encounter looked done and dusted. Nwofor could have added a second with the last kick of the half, but was denied by goalkeeper Sy's exceptional save.
Mali hugged possession in the second period, but found the Nigeria defence unyielding.
Their fate was finally sealed when Olanrewaju forced his way into the box, to be scythes down by the desperate Diallo.
Okoro, on as an 89th minute substitute, had had enough of a feel for the ball to stroke it confidently past Sy.
The Nigerians will now await the winners of the second semifinal between Cameroon and Egypt.
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Your comments on this story...
I would have loved to see a match between these physical Malians against the Camerounians. Anyway, it is not too late as both teams might slug it out in the third place if Cameroun fails to win Egypt. Once again, well done John Obuh and his lads.
GOD HELP YOU BROS.
I'hope cameroon make it to the final for a revenge. ....fingers crossed x
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We know we are and we are sure we are
We are H-A-P-P-Y
Although there is still much work to be done.
Is this not the same Mali that drubbed South Africa 4-2
I read someone said you should win it for Olufemi Adebayo. While I sympathies with his family, I do not the best way to motivate our players is for them to play for the dead. Olufemi Adebayo is dead so live with it. Like its said, "THE BEST THE LIVING CAN DO FOR THE DEAD IS TO KEEP ON LIVING".
So, please play for your lives like never before and win it for our darling president and every other Nigerian living!
I read someone said you should win it for Olufemi Adebayo. While I sympathies with his family, I do not think the best way to motivate our players is for them to play for the dead. Olubayo Adefemi is dead so live with it. Like its said, "THE BEST THE LIVING CAN DO FOR THE DEAD IS TO KEEP ON LIVING".
So, please play for your lives like never before and win it for our darling president and every other Nigerian living!
Up boys, well done. You have made us all proud.