Mali

2.43

• 
  3

  5

  2.50

  Mamadou Samassa

  Made a few reasonable saves, but on the whole was quite unlucky. He was left powerless and in difficult positions through either Nigerian luck, or the opposition strikers bursting through his defence easily.

• 
  1

  7

  2.00

  Fousseyni Diawara

  Struggled defensively, especially when Moses occasionally attacked down the left. His late yellow card summed up a frustrating afternoon for the full back, who failed to deal with the Nigerian pace.

• 
  4

  5

  2.00

  Adama Tamboura

  Was beaten all ends up for Nigeria's first goal, as Moses beat him with some nice skill before delivering the lethal cross. Despite some powerful runs forward, he had an extremely quiet game compared to his usual standards.

• 
  1

  6

  2.00

  Molla Wague

  Made a couple of good interceptions and went close from a corner in the opening stages. Struggled to deal with the pace and strength of Emenike and Ideye, and generally had a forgettable afternoon.

• 
  1

  7

  2.50

  Mahamadou Bamba N'Diaye

  Made a few important challenges, but generally struggled to deal with the pace of the Nigerian attack - as did his teammates. When the ball was played over the top, it was rare for him to be able to recover.

• 
  3

  6

  2.50

  Mohamed Lamine Sissoko

  Was unfortunate to give away the free-kick for Nigeria's third goal, as he looked to have made a good challenge. Had to be sacrificed for a more attacking option in the second half, in what was a mediocre game for the Fiorentina man.

• 
  4

  4

  2.50

  Mohamed Traoré

  Worked hard, but similarly to his teammates in midfield, he failed to either break up play or set up counter attack. Mali's midfield was generally bypassed by Nigeria's direct style of play.

• 
  20

  5

  2.50

  Seydou Keita

  Was clearly the most influential player on the field for Mali, but failed to find the cutting edge his side needed. Unlucky not to grab a goal with a nice sidefoot effort, but he watched the ball flash past Enyeama's post.

• 
  1

  6

  2.50

  Mahamane El Hadji Traoré

  Failed to trouble Ambrose at all, as the Celtic full-back looked composed throughout. When he allowed Tamboura to overlap in the first half, Mali had more luck, but in the second half their left flank wasn't very fruitful at all.

• 
  5

  6

  2.00

  Modibo Maiga

  Was tidy in possession and always keen to take on his man, but couldn't find the final ball. His control and touch were good, but he failed to pick out a teammate when delivering his crosses.

• 
  4

  7

  2.00

  Mamadou Samassa

  Frustrating afternoon for the forward who chased shadows for a large portion of the game, and was selfish as a result when he gained possession. Had a couple of chances, but it was generally an isolated and toothless performance from him.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  6

  3.00

  Samba Sow

  Added a bit more bite and power to the Mali forward line, and they probably would have benefitted from him being on the field a little earlier.

• 
  5

  5

  3.00

  Cheick Fanta Mady Diarra

  Managed to grab a consolation goal for his side, and was perhaps unfortunate not to grab a second, after being set up from 10 yards out. Despite not performing too well in this tournament, he made a positive impact for Mali today.

• 
  11

  3

  3.00

  Cheick Tidiane Diabaté

  Changed the game massively after coming on. He provided a focal point for his side, and provided an assist for Diarra's goal. He looked composed in possession and was always keen to drive forward with his great strength.

Nigeria

2.93

• 
  64

  1

  2.50

  Vincent Enyeama

  Was a spectator in the first half. Made a great save to deny Diabate in the second half, with a strong right hand, and generally dealt with every shot well. Let down by his defence for the Mali consolation.

• 
  54

  2

  3.00

  Uwa Elderson Echiejile

  Was solid defensively, and did extremely well to finish off a Victor Moses' cross for Nigeria's opening goal. Relatively untroubled throughout the match, and dealt with Diawara well too when the right-back pushed on.

• 
  48

  2

  2.50

  E. Ambrose

  Remained untroubled down the right, except for a couple of marauding runs from Tamboura. Didn't look pressured at all, over the whole 90 minutes. Also made a couple of good interceptions to deny Diabate a goalscoring opportunity.

• 
  54

  1

  3.00

  Godfrey Oboabona

  Made some vital blocks and interceptions in the opening 20 minutes, allowing Nigeria to weather the storm and grab the first goal of the game. Was the strongest Nigerian defender, and didn't put a foot wrong all game.

• 
  54

  4

  2.50

  Kenneth Omeruo

  Similarly to Oboabona, he made a few decent clearances in the early stages, but was relatively untroubled for the rest of the game, as Samassa cut a very isolated figure up front for Mali. Struggled to deal with Diabate later on.

• 
  96

  3

  2.50

  John Obi Mikel

  Composed on the ball and always an option for his teammates. Went close in the first half with a long range half volley, something we're not accustomed to seeing from the Chelsea midfielder! Generally was quiet, but didn't do anything wrong.

• 
  123

  2

  4.00

  Victor Moses

  A constant threat and tore Mali to pieces whenever he was in possession. Embarrassed Tamboura before playing a perfect cross to assist Nigeria's first goal, and played a brilliant ball to set up the counter attack for Ideye's second. Unplayable until his substitution.

• 
  60

  1

  3.00

  Ogenyi Onazi

  Powerful and quick on the ball, was unlucky not to lob Samassa for what would have then been his side's third goal. Played a fantastic scything pass for Musa's goal, cutting Mali in two with one simple through ball.

• 
  51

  1

  2.50

  Sunday Mba

  Always a willing runner, but was quiet in comparison to his teammates. Was unfortunate not to be presented with good goalscoring opportunities, as he was often an option on the edge of the Malian area.

• 
  71

  3

  3.50

  B. Ideye

  Did well to turn home Emenike's square ball for his goal, and caused Mali problems constantly by playing on the shoulder of their defensive line. Wague struggled to keep tabs on the Dinamo Kiev man.

• 
  91

  2

  3.50

  Emenike

  Claimed a goal and an assist, as Mali struggled to contain the powerhouse. Held up the ball brilliantly, and his strength made it almost impossible for the Malian defenders to bully him off the ball. Great performance from the forward.

Substitutions

• 
  24

  20

  2.50

  Joseph Yobo

  Was solid after coming on, making one particularly good block. Struggled to deal with the physical side of Diabate's game, as the huge striker bullied his way through the Nigerian defence at times.

• 
  26

  12

  2.50

  E. Uzoenyi

  Given his Africa Cup of Nations debut. Failed to make a definitive impact, but didn't do anything wrong either.

• 
  64

  8

  3.50

  Ahmed Musa

  Made a fantastic impact after coming on. His pace on the ball really troubled the Malian defenders, and he finished well after a good assist from Onazi. Was unfortunate not to grab a second, after Ideye was found offside before Musa finished off one of Nigeria's many attacks.