26 January 2008
Sekondi — Ivory Coast blitzed Benin 4-1 to reach the African Nations Cup quarter-finals while Nigeria's fate in the tournament was put out of their hands after a goalless draw against Mali on Friday.
Twice winners Nigeria have only one point from two matches in Group B. The Ivorians are top on six points with Mali second on four. Benin, playing in the competition for the second time, are eliminated.
A draw against Ivory Coast in Accra on Tuesday would send Mali through to the last eight even if Nigeria beat Benin in Sekondi.
"We now have one hope is that Ivory Coast win and God," said Nigeria coach Berti Vogts.
"Mali are a very very tough team."
Mali put up fierce resistance against Nigeria and went close to taking the points when midfielder Seydou Keita hit the crossbar with a long-range shot in the second half.
"We played solid football throughout against a Nigeria side who had four strikers up front," Mali coach Jean-Francois Jodar said after a tense battle.
Earlier on Friday, Ivory Coast brushed aside Benin with another accomplished display.
Striker Didier Drogba broke the deadlock five minutes before halftime after being set up by a fine pass from Yaya Toure.
The Barcelona midfielder stabbed in the second on 44 minutes by latching on a cross from his brother Kolo, who was replaced on the stroke of halftime after suffering a groin injury.
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