Super Eagles beat Benin 2-0

... Meet Ghana in Quarter Finals
Essipon (W/R) Jan. 29, GNA - Unimpressive Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday struggled to beat Benin 2-0 in their last "Group B" encounter in the ongoing Ghana 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament at the Essipon stadium, near Sekondi.
It was John Obi Mikel, who broke the deadlock after almost 56 minutes of play when he headed home a Peter Odemwingie cross after Benin keeper Yoann Djidonou failed to grab a Taye Taiwo free-kick and the ball went to Odemwingie to send in the cross.
The goal revitalised the attacking machinery of the Super Eagles that looked too ordinary in the first half of the game. Their fans shouted and yelled loudly urging them on to keep on fighting for more goals.
They found their rhythm and soon started to dictate the pace of the game.
Their efforts paid off when in the 78th minute hardworking Yakubu Ayegbeni pounced on a loose ball and beat goalkeeper Djidonou with a terrific shot.
Benin threw everything into the game and matched the Super Eagles squarely in every department but the lack of ideas upfront robbed them of goals from all the opportunities that came their way. In fact Benin attacking line led by Razack Omotoyossi and Oumar Tchomogo gave the Nigerian defence many anxious moments but always shot wide when them come close to scoring.
In the 44th minute Omotoyossi sneaked through the defence of Nigeria and with only goalkeeper Austine Ejide to beat shot over the bar.
Both teams missed many begging scoring chances especially in the second half of the game.
In the second half Nigeria made three substitutions bringing on Victor Nsofor for John Utaka, Richard Eromoigbe for Paul Etuhu and Rabiu Afolabi for Peter Odemwingie.
This, however, did not change the pattern of the Nigerian game rather it was Benin who became more dangerous as they string their passes together forcing the Nigerian defence to work overtime. It was all joy for the Nigerian supporters as they hug each other and vigorously waved the Green and White when referee Bennaceur Kacem of Tunisia brought proceedings to an end.
Nigeria Line up: Austine Ejide, Josphe Yobo, Taiwo Taye, Obinna Nwaneri, Daniel Shittu, John Utaka/Victor Nsofor ,John Obi Mikel, Peter Odemwingie/Rabiu Afolabi, Ikechukwu Uche, Paul Etuhu/ richard Eromoigbe and Yakubu Ayigbeni.
Benin Line up: Yoann Djidonou, Khaled Adenon, Damaien Chrysostome, Jona Oketola, Romuald Boco, Razack Omotoyossi, Oumar Tchomogo, Alain Gaspoz, Aniciet Adjamossi, Stephane Sessegnon and Jocelin Ahoueya.