Nigeria 1-0 Benin
Nigeria secured a vital victory in their quest to qualify for the last eight of the competition
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By Tom Powell. |  |
Saturday, 16, Jan 2010 05:52
By Matt Hallam.
Yakubu secured a crucial victory for Nigeria in their African Cup of Nations Group C clash with Benin.
After losing their opening game to Egypt the Super Eagles knew a win was vital to their hopes of qualifying for the last eight of the tournament.
Yakubu scored the only goal of the game with his penalty at the end of the first-half to give his side victory.
Benin were unlucky not to take something from the game though, hitting the bar in both halves and frustrating their opponents for much of the game.
The loss leaves Benin with little hope of qualifying from Group C though, whilst Nigeria will look to secure their place in the last eight with a victory over Mozambique on Wednesday.
Nigeria dominated the early possession but a slip from captain Joseph Yobo almost gave Razak Omotoyossi an early sight of goal. The Everton defender recovered well to poke the ball out for a corner though.
Yakubu had a glorious chance to opening scoring on the quarter hour mark after he beat the offside trap but he sent his shot wide of the post with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Nigeria struggled to break down Benin as the half wore on though and were reduced to long range efforts with Chinedu Obasi hitting a fierce free-kick over the bar.
Benin almost took the lead with a long range effort of their own from Stephane Sessegnon which beat Vincent Enyeama in the Nigeria goal and cannoned off the bar.
It was Nigeria who opened the scoring from the penalty spot before half-time though with Yakubu converting from the penalty spot after Romuald Boco had handled in the box.
Nigeria looked to double their lead after the break with Bolton's Danny Shittu forcing a good save from Rachad Chitou with a low drive from 25-yards.
The Super Eagles suffered a setback soon after though when Yobo was forced off with a hamstring injury.
With Nigeria temporarily down to 10-men Benin looked take advantage with Omotoyossi teeing up Sessegnon who fired his shot a yard wide.
Onyekachi Apam replaced Yobo in defence but Benin continued to press for an equaliser and hit the bar again when Nouhoum Kobena shot from the angle on the right after being played in by Sessegnon.
Nigeria recovered their composure in the closing stages of the match though finishing the game comfortably and ensuring a victory that moves them a step closer to reaching the last eight of the tournament.