Nigeria Qualify…just

Nigeria have sneaked into the quarter finals of the 2008 African Cup of Nations with a competent if unconvincing 2-0 win over Benin. Second half goals from John Obi Mikel and Yakubu secured the Super Eagles’ passage to the knockout phase, but Berti Vogts’ men also owe their progress to Côte d’Ivoire, who beat Mali 3-0 in Accra. Mali had needed just a point to make it out of Group B alive but goals from Didier Drogba, Marc Zoro and Boubacar Sanogo saw off their challenge, and the Eagles will consequently be on the next plane home. The result sets up a mouthwatering quarter final clash between hosts Ghana and their major rivals Nigeria, in what should prove a tantalising new instalment of the West African derby. Côte d’Ivoire, having qualified top of the group, will play Group A runners up Guinea.

The Ivorians went into their match safe in the knowledge that they were already through to the quarter finals while Mali required just a draw to seal their progression, but after only ten minutes Didier Drogba fired the Elephants into the lead. Put clean through by Yaya Toure, the Chelsea hitman made no mistake in finding the net and with this strike Nigeria were handed the fortune they so desperately needed. Mali played a reserved game maintaining composure despite the goal deficit, but they badly missed the leadership of their captain Mahamadou Diarra who sat out the game with a suspension.

Over in Sekondi, the Super Eagles were defending resolutely as they have all tournament but once again struggled when it came to finding a breakthrough. Peter Odemwingie looked lively and offered a threat down the left hand side, but Benin fought well and were not afraid to push forward – Razak Omotoyossi looking particularly dangerous.

As the half time whistles went in Accra and Sekondi, Mali kept the upperhand in the group, and Berti Vogts headed to the dressing room for the Nigerian team-talk looking perplexed, his side having failed to register one single shot on goal.

The main surprise as the sides emerged for the second half was that Fredi Kanoute did not take to the field, substituted by Mali coach Jean-Francois Jodar in place of Juventus-bound Momo Sissoko. And in the 52nd minute the pendulum swung heavily in Nigeria’s favour as they took the lead with their first goal of the competition. Taye Taiwo’s powerful free-kick was parried to Odemwingie, and the Lokomotiv Moscow forward chipped it into the path of John Obi Mikel, who made no mistake in heading home. The sense of relief emanating from the Nigerian bench was palpable. Nine minutes later Mali went 2-0 down. Marc Zoro flicked in Siaka Tiene’s accurate corner and Côte d’Ivoire pushed further in front at the top of the group, giving Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying another massive boost in the process.

Paradoxically however, the second goal made no difference to the complexion of the group. With the head-to-head record between Mali and Nigeria identical just one more goal would have pushed Mali back into second place courtesy of a superior goals scored record. The games were still well-poised therefore, and tense as ever.

With the clock ticking and Mali heading perilously toward the Cup of Nations exit door Dramane Toure went agonisingly close to grabbing the goal the Eagles needed. Unfortunately for him and the whole Malian nation however his header bounced off the crossbar and was cleared to safety. And alas, Mali’s Cup of Nations dream finally died when, five minutes before the end, substitute Boubacar Sanogo made it 3-0 by slotting home from close range after Mahamadou Sidibe could only parry the excellent Yaya Toure’s rasping effort.

Nigerians everywhere could now taste victory and the quarter finals, and to their delight it was finally confirmed when in the 86th minute, the hitherto ineffective Everton striker Yakubu latched onto an incisive through ball from Mikel and coolly finished. At the final whistle, as a member of the Nigerian backroom staff lifted a relieved Berti Vogts off the ground in glee and the players celebrated with the fans, a sense of squad togetherness was finally on display from Nigeria – a world away from the back biting and negativity the previous two performances have generated. Perhaps now the Super Eagles will be brought together by the reprieve handed them thanks to Côte d’Ivoire, and maybe this will spark them into life in what has thus far been a lacklustre tournament showing.

It was tense, and the highest ranked African nation will certainly have to improve if they are to beat the hosts, but Nigeria are through to the last eight.