Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has put behind him Monday’s 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in their opening Group C game of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Substitute Alain Traore scored with the last kick of the game to peg back Nigeria’s first half lead through Emmanuel Emenike after defender Efe Ambrose had been sent off for a second yellow card.
A draw in itself was not so bad for a country that was returning to the Afcon after missing out on the last edition but the Super Eagles missed a couple of great chances to seal the game, something that would have put them in the driving seat in the group.
They now face a tricky tie against defending champions Zambia on Friday. The Chipolopolo also drew against a tough Ethiopian side that played with ten men.
“I am not going to let anything bring us down. I’m very proud of the boys, who did everything I wanted of them,” said Keshi after the game.
“This game is gone and the next game against Zambia is very, very important. I’ll pick up the players and motivate them.”
All the teams in Group C have one point apiece.
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