Nigeria Defeat Mali Again to Top Group B in President’s Cup
Nigeria secured top spot in Group B of the 2014 President’s Cup with a second successive 2-0 victory over Mali on Wednesday in Lomé.
The final group stage match, held at the Togolese capital’s municipal stadium, mirrored Monday’s result as the Nigerian side once again proved too strong for their Malian counterparts.
Originally scheduled to include three teams, Group B was reshaped following the late withdrawal of Niger. As a result, Nigeria and Mali faced each other twice in a back-to-back format to determine the group standings and semi-final seeding.
Both teams had already secured their places in the semi-finals, but Wednesday’s encounter served as the decider for top spot. After a goalless first half, Nigeria took control of the match in the second period with a composed and energetic performance.
The breakthrough came courtesy of Orji Okonkwo, who found the net after sustained pressure from Emmanuel Amunike’s side. Moments later, Kehinde Ayinde sealed the result with a clinical finish following a run down the left flank.
Nigeria’s display was marked by tactical discipline, high work rate, and an ability to raise their level when it mattered most — qualities that have defined Amunike’s team throughout the competition so far.
The win leaves Nigeria with six points at the top of Group B, while Mali finish bottom with no points from the two encounters. The result sets up Nigeria for a more favourable semi-final clash, as they aim to continue their impressive run in the tournament.
The President’s Cup, a youth-level international competition hosted in Togo, has offered a platform for emerging talent across West Africa. Nigeria’s squad, featuring several promising players, has drawn praise for its cohesion and attacking prowess.
As the tournament enters its knockout phase, all eyes will be on Nigeria to see whether they can maintain their momentum and claim the trophy.
