( CNN ) -- Another Africa Cup of Nations , another failure for the Ivory Coast 's `` golden generation . '' But while Didier Drogba may never get the chance to lift the continent 's coveted trophy , another African football superpower is on course to end its own long wait for success . Nigeria set up a semifinal clash with Mali by beating the seemingly perennial tournament-favorite Ivorians 2-1 in Rustenburg on Sunday . The `` Super Eagles '' have not won the title since 1994 , a year the team reached fifth in the world rankings -- the highest by any African nation . Since then Nigeria has had to settle for three third placings between 2002-10 , and did n't even qualify for last year 's tournament . It was a period of turmoil , as the country 's president Goodluck Jonathan at first banned the national side for two years after a poor showing at the 2010 World Cup before world ruling body FIFA threatened even harsher sanctions , and the ruler backed down . Under the guidance of former international player Stephen Keshi , Nigeria came through Group C with a win and two draws this month and then beat a side that the coach called `` the top team on the continent . '' `` I want to thank God for this wonderful victory , and sincerely thank my players for everything they did today . I hope we can keep going to the final , '' the former Togo and Mali coach told reporters ahead of Wednesday 's semi in Durban . `` Ivory Coast are the top team on the continent with lots of quality , so we tried to speed up and try to catch out players like Drogba and Yaya Toure . `` I 'm glad my team is progressing in every game -- there is great discipline in the team and I just hope we keep going that way . '' Nigeria took the lead just before halftime when Emmanuel Emenike 's free-kick went straight through Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry for his third goal of the tournament in South Africa . Cheick Tiote leveled with a header from veteran captain Drogba 's free-kick on the left , but Sunday Mba gave Nigeria victory as he beat three men and unleashed a 20-yard shot that was deflected past Barry . The 24-year-old is one of five Nigeria-based players in the 23-man squad -- none from the country 's top league featured in the 2008 or 2010 finals . `` The boys showed character . When I played for Nigeria I had to fight , fight , fight and they did that today , '' Keshi said . `` When the Ivorians leveled we tried to defend and work out our tactics , and we scored again . Sunday came up with a beautiful , beautiful goal . '' Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi took responsibility for his team 's surprise exit . `` I put forward the team I judged to be the best to pose problems to a good Nigeria side , '' said the Frenchman , who took over after last year 's penalty shootout defeat in the final against Zambia . `` Of course our aim was to win the title , and for certain players this could be their last chance so , yes , there is disappointment in the dressing room . `` It 's a great sadness for me as the players were working with one objective -- to win this Nations Cup -- but it proved not to be enough . '' Drogba and most of the Elephants squad will now head back to Europe -- the 34-year-old will join his new Turkish club Galatasaray , where Ivory Coast teammate Emmanuel Eboue also plays . Two-time African player of the year Yaya Toure will go back to England with his brother Kolo to help Manchester City 's faltering Premier League title defense . Meanwhile , Burkina Faso won the battle of first-time quarterfinalists in Sunday 's other game , beating Togo 1-0 after extra time at Nelspruit . Jonathan Ptroipa headed the only goal from a corner in the 105th minute to set up a clash with four-time champion Ghana at the same venue on Wednesday .
Nigeria into semifinals of Africa Cup of Nations after beating Ivory Coast 2 - 1 on Sunday . Late goal from Emmanuel Mba ##mba ` ` Super Eagles '' into a last - four clash with Mali . Mali had been favored with star players such as Laurent Drogba and Yaya Toure . Burkina Faso beat Togo 1 - 0 after extra time in last quarterfinal at home .