Nigeria, Ivory Coast advance at African Cup of Nations
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 | 3:17 PM ET
The Associated Press
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Nigeria qualified for the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations in Ghana by beating Benin 2-0 Tuesday.
John Obi Mikel and Yakubu Aiyegbeni each scored for Nigeria.
Nigerian players celebrate their victory over Benin Friday at the African Cup of Nations.
(Issouf Sanogo/Getty Images)
Mikel turned in Peter Odemwingie's cross to get Nigeria's first goal in the tournament in the 52nd minute. Aiyegbeni scored in the 85th from 10 yards.
Nigeria advanced after Ivory Coast's 3-0 win over Mali in Group B's other match. Ivory Coast has nine points, while Nigeria and Mali have four each.
Nigeria will play Ghana in the quarter-finals, while the Ivory Coast will face Group A runner-up Guinea.
Nigeria, rated as Africa's No. 1 team by FIFA, started Tuesday's match looking to restore its battered image after collecting a single point from the opening two matches against Ivory Coast and Mali.
Sunderland's Dickson Etuhu started in the Super Eagles midfield while captain Nwankwo Kanu sat out with a knee injury.
Newcastle's Obafemi Martins also didn't play, losing his place in the Nigerian attack to Portsmouth's John Utaka.
Most of Nigeria's efforts missed the target in the opening 45 minutes. Yoan Djidonou, who replaced Rachad Chitou in the Benin goal, stopped Aiyegbeni's effort in the 30th.
Supported by a small trumpet-playing crowd, Nigeria created the game's first chance in the third minute but Aiyegbeni's five-metre shot went wide.
Nigeria goalkeeper Austin Ejide dove to his left to block Alain Gaspoz's 30-yard drive in the 15th.
Mikel swept past the Benin defence in the 45th only to see his weak shot glance off the bar. But the Chelsea midfielder scored with a header to lift the Nigerian spirits.
Aiyegbeni, Ikechukwu Uche and substitute Victor Nsofor each had chances to extend Nigeria's lead in the second half.
Substitute Mouritala Ogounbiyi almost punished Nigeria with a curling effort in the 46th, which Ejide parried away.
It has been nearly 30 years since Nigeria faced the possibility of failing to reach the last eight.
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