Essipon (W/R) Jan. 25, GNA - The Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire continued their winning spree in the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament when they thrashed the Squirrels of Benin in the second "Group B" encounter at the Sekondi stadium at Essipon, near Sekondi on Friday.

The Elephants kicked-off in a whirlwind fashion and the attacking machinery headed by Captain Didier Drogba made some exciting moves to signal their determination to carry the day.

They made several incursions into the vital area of their opponents but could not find the net due to erratic shooting up front. Aruna Dindane came close to score in the 15th minute but the Benin goalkeeper, Rachad Chitou, expertly saved his powerful driver. Benin gradually warmed up into the game and tried to end the dominance of the Elephants by occasionally making threatening moves that were thwarted by the strong defence of the Ivorians.

The efforts of the hardworking attacking line of the Elephants was rewarded when Drobga collected a through pass from a team mate and delivered a great shot to which Chitou had no answer. Yaya Toure made it two just before half time.

When the game resumed Benin made a couple of substitutions Mouritala Ogounbiyi for Alain Gaspoz and Abou Maiga for Seidah Tchomogo to strengthen the attacking line.

In the 53rd minute, Abdul Kader Keita in a great effort scored the third goal for the Elephants. Aruna Dindane, who had a great day, increased the tally to four goals in the 74th minute.

In spite of the score-line, Benin kept on pressing for a goal. They took the game to their opponents forcing them to commit some blunders but they could not capitalise on the chances that came their way. However, lady luck giggled on Benin when Razack Omotoyossi header beat Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry in post for the Elephants on the 90th minute.

Line up of the Elephants: Boubacar Barry; Boka Arthur; Didier Zokora; Kolo Toure; Didier Drgba/Boubacar Sanogo; Salomon Kalu; Aboudulaye Meite; Haruna Dindane; Abdu Kader Keita; Yaya Toure and Emmanuel Ebue.

Line up of Benin: Rachad Chitou; Khaled Adnon; Damien Chrysostome/Noel Seka; Romauld Boco; Razack Omotoyossi; Oumar Tchomogo; Alain Gaspoz; Anicet Adjamossi; stephane Sessegnon; Seidah Tchomogo and Jocelin Ahoueya.