Ghana — Super Eagles player maker, John Mikel Obi yesterday gave an insight into how the team, against all odds picked a valuable quarter final ticket in the on going African Nations Cup finals in Ghana.

The Nigerians, before a scanty crowd, struggled to beat minnows Squirels of Benin 2-0 while the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire, against all expectations whipped Mali 3-0 to help the Super Eagles advance to Sunday's knock out stage.

"After the disappointing goalless draw against Mali, we knew that our chance will be partly by our own strength and the rest to our foe from Cote d'Ivoire. It was not an easy task considering the fact that all those who stood by us in the beginning have abandoned us mid stream because we failed to raise our game.

"However this (yesterday) morning our in-house pastor Austin Ejide prayed for divine favour from God and he instructed all of us to make that our prayer point and we all complied," he recalled.

The Chelsea midfielder, who was voted the man of the match, also praised the fighting sprit of the Nigerian supports club who sang all through the match even when the dream of reaching the next stage appeared very slim.