Nigeria send early message

Nigeria sent out a powerful early message to their Africa Cup rivals with a commanding performance against Liberia in the qualifying.

The Super Eagles hit their lowly rivals for six, though the concession of a goal will have taken the gloss of their second leg victory, which assures their qualification for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria join Zambia, Ghana and Mali in the 'tournament proper', which gets underway on January 19, and, like their rivals, will call on players plying their trade across Europe. Reigning champions from 2012 are Zambia, who shocked the footballing world when they beat Ivory Coast on penalties in the Final to lift the trophy. Host nation South Africa will be keen to perform to a high level at the tournament following their surprise failure to qualify for the 2012 competition, and, backed by a partisan home crowd, the Bafana Bafana will fancy their chances of challenging for silverware