20100117
allafrica

Benguela — Coach Shaibu Amodu's tactical changes paid off last night on the shores of Benguela in Angola as a nervous Super Eagles of Nigeria held on to a first half goal to beat neighbours Benin Republic 1-0. The result has kept alive the Africa Cup of Nations title dreams of the Super Eagles even as the Pharaohs of Egypt became the first team to make the quarter-finals from the group after beating Mozambique 2-0 in the second game.

The victory of the defending champions now means that the Eagles need at least a draw in their final group match against Mozambique on Wednesday in Lubango to make the last eight teams as their better head-to-head record against Benin means they will get the nod should the Beninoise team beat the North Africans in the group's final match, which comes up on the same day.

Amodu made several changes to the Super Eagles side that lost 3-1 to Egypt in the opening match in Group C dropping Taiye Taiwo, Obinna Nwaneri and Yusuf Ayila.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni coolly scored from the spot kick in the 40th minute after Boco Romuald was adjudged to have handled the ball following a sustained pressure mounted by the Nigerian team.

Before the half hour, Referee Martins Carvalho of Angola ignored Nigeria's appeal for a penalty after Aiyegbeni tumbled under the challenge of Adenon Khaled while the lively Mouri Ogunbiyi tossed a pass into the Nigerian defence but was not connected.

The bar then came to Nigeria's rescue when Sessegnon Stephane struck with a log drive, just two minutes before the Super Eagles' broke the ice for the crucial lead.

The Eagles were solid at the back with Danny Shittu and Yobo occasionally combining efficiently to curb the rampaging Omotoyossi.

Nigeria lost Yobo to injury on the 54th minute and the skipper was replaced by Onyekachi Apam.

Yobo will require a scan to determine the extent of his injury ahead of the crucial engagement against Mozambique in Lubango on Wednesday.

Nigeria were again saved when Kobena Nouhoum's effort inside the box glanced off the woodwork.

Amodu made two further changes - bringing on Obinna Nsofor for Ayegbeni and Sani Kaita for Kalu Uche as the Eagles held on to their slim advantage to win the match.

Afterwards, Amodu told reporters that the victory will now boost the Eagles confidence ahead of the must win match against the Mambas.

He also said their experience counted against the Beninoise as they opted for a cautious play in the closing phase of the match.

"It was a tough game, like I've said before they (Benin) showed that there is no easy team any longer. This win will boost our morale. We showed we were the more experienced side and the hungrier of the sides. For Yobo's injury he will be sent for a scan, but we have enough reserves to properly replace him."

Egypt is striving to become the first side to win the competition three straight times and they took the lead rather luckily when Dario Khan put the ball into his own net in the 46th minute while Mohamed Nagui scored a stunning goal 10 minutes to the end of the game to put the score beyond the Mozambicans.