Group C

Nigeria 1-0 Benin

Today

Group D
Gabon vs Tunisia 6pm
Cameroon vs Zambia 8:30pm

Group A
Monday
Angola vs Algeria 6pm
Mali vs Malawi 6pm

BENGUELA - Nigeria defeated Benin 1-0 on Saturday to get their Africa Cup of Nations campaign back on track after a loss to Egypt in their opening Group C match.

The Super Eagles netted the match winner after 42 minutes from the penalty spot through Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni after Romuald Boco handled a goal-bound header by Osaze Odemwingie.

The goal atoned for Yakubu’s miss earlier in the first-half, when put through on goal by Kalu Uche after 15 minutes, the big striker drilled his shot from inside the box inches away from target with goalkeeper Rachad Chitou beaten.

This was Nigeria’s third win in as many Nations Cup clashes with their neighbours and it moves the Eagles to second place in the group with group leaders Egypt and Mozambique to play later on Saturday.

Nigeria kicked off this west African derby but the first half-chance fell to Benin striker Razak Omotoyossi in the third minute inside the box with the Nigerian goal at his mercy, but he hesitated to allow the Eagles clear for a corner.

Otherwise it was a rather cautious start by Nigeria and Benin after the first 10 minutes of play as there was hardly much to choose between the two teams.

Benin packed their defence and began to cling on to their lives as the game wore on and Nigeria launched wave after wave of attacks.

However, the Eagles attacks were slow and predictable and so allowed their opponents to clear their lines.

Benin twice hit the woodwork with blistering shots from Stephane Sessegnon in the first half and Nouhoum Kobena after the break and kept Nigeria on the back foot for much of the game.  But they now face elimination with just a single point from two matches. They will be up against champions Egypt next week.

Ends