A superb semifinal at the Moses Mabhida stadium in South Africa was won and lost in a blistering 20-minute spell in the first half in which Nigeria scored three goals.
Their win has left them dreaming of a first Cup of Nations title since the current coach, Stephen Keshi, captained them to victory in the same competition in 1994.
Goals from defender Elderson Echiejile after 25 minutes, Brown Ideye after 30 and an own-goal from Mali defender Momo Sissoko a minute before half-time put Keshi’s team in total control.
They made it 4-0 when substitute Ahmed Musa, who replaced the outstanding Victor Moses after 53 minutes, scored three minutes after coming on, beating the offside trap and slipping the ball through the goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa’s legs.
Nigeria had the ball in the net for a fifth time shortly afterwards but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Keshi is now one victory away from becoming only the second man in the tournament’s 56-year history to win it as a player and coach. The only other person to have achieved the feat is the Egyptian Mahmoud El-Gohary, who won it in 1959 and 1998.
Mali, who famously came back from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 with Angola in the opening game of the 2010 finals, never looked like repeating that but did score through substitute Cheick Diarra in the 75th minute. – guardian
