Kolo Toure: Nigeria can lift the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations trophy

06-Feb-2013 5:45:00 PM

The Ivorian feels that Stephen Keshi's troops have what it takes to go all the way in South Africa as they prepare to face Mali in the semi-final stage

EXCLUSIVE
By Ernest Makhaya

Cote d'Ivoire defender Kolo Toure has claimed that Nigeria are more than capable of winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Ivorians had been favourites to lift the trophy, but were eliminated by the Super Eagles in the quarter-final, and the Manchester City man believes his side's conquerors have all the quality it takes to go all the way.

"Nigeria were stronger than us," he told Goal.com.

"I am expecting them to win all of their remaining games in the tournament. I mean, they are two steps away from lifting this trophy.

"Stephen Keshi is a good coach and he has changed Nigeria into a respectable team. I think he won’t have a problem beating Mali because he was their coach, he understands their culture."

Nigeria and Mali kick off at 16:00CET on Wednesday.

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