Nigeria's third Africa Cup of Nations title, clinched here Sunday against Burkina Faso, was a huge personal triumph for coach Stephen Keshi -- although the man himself would be loathe to admit it. Big Boss, as the captain of the 1994 title-winning side is affectionately known, was hitting the continental jackpot as a coach at the third time of asking, after first-round knockouts with Togo in 2006 and Mali in 2010. Part of the key to the Super Eagles' 2013 success has been the 51-year-old's bold yet heavily criticised gamble in calling up local-based players.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations ended Sunday with Nigeria taking the title and AFP reviews who said what during the three-week competition: You don't want to know what was going through my mind in the last few minutes -- Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi after a tense finish to a 1-0 final win over Burkina Faso You have to be big when you lose and small when you win -- Burkina Faso coach Paul Put reacting with dignity in defeat

Nigerians frustrated by years of waiting for their football team to again play to its potential erupted with screams of joy and celebration Sunday as the country clinched the African Cup of Nations. Thousands who gathered near the national stadium in Lagos, the largest city of Africa's most populous nation, to watch the final on two big screens hugged one another, danced with abandon and held plastic chairs aloft.

(Adds detail) By Mike Collett JOHANNESBURG, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Nigeria ended a 19-year wait to regain the African Nations Cup when a stunning goal from forward Sunday Mba gave them a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in a final the Super Eagles deserved to win at Soccer City on Sunday. The 24-year-old, who plays in the domestic league with Warri Wolves but looks destined for greater things, struck after 40 minutes when the ball bounced off a defender following a shot from the always-dangerous Victor Moses.