African Cup of Nations: Nigeria 0 Côte d'Ivoire 1:Côte d'Ivoire opened their African Cup of Nations campaign in ominous fashion last night, as Salomon Kalou's stylish solo effort sealed a deserved victory for the tournament favourites over the star-studded, but ultimately disappointing, Nigerians.
No sooner had the dust settled following Ghana's dramatic victory in Sunday's opening game in Accra than two of the continent's heavweights were doing battle 250km along the coast in Sekondi in Group B, the toughest section of all.
And if the contest failed to produce the fireworks many had hope for, Kalou's 65th-minute strike will live long in the memory.
Didier Drogba is expected to spearhead the Elephants' bid for a second African title, but the Chelsea striker, in subdued mood yesterday as he returns gingerly from knee surgery, was upstaged by his young club-mate. Kalou slalomed his way through four Nigeria defenders before slotting past Austine Ejide to ensure a repeat scoreline of the semi-final between these sides two years ago.
This Côte d'Ivoire team is almost identical to the one that was beaten by Egypt in the 2006 final and, while they were never at their fluent best here, their professionalism and unity was evident throughout.
With Didier Zokora and the immense Yaya Toure patrolling midfield with authority and providing a formidable shield for centre backs Kolo Toure and Abdoulaye Meite, Gerard Gili's disciplined side will prove difficult to break down in Ghana. Nigeria rarely looked capable of doing so in open play.
Both sides lined up with six English Premier League players, but it was Nigeria that made the more accomplished start. Nwankwo Kanu's long-range effort flashed narrowly wide, before, moments later, Obafemi Martins fired an innocuous-looking shot towards goalkeeper Boubacar Barry. The chink in Côte d'Ivoire's armour was immediately exposed as Barry fumbled the ball which then threatened to trickle over the line.
Nigeria began shooting on sight and Barry appeared flustered, though there was little the Lokeren custodian could do about Taye Taiwo's thunderous free-kick on 16 minutes, the Marseille defender shaking the crossbar from 25 yards.
Another stinging shot, this time from Yaya Toure at the other end, was punched to safety by Nigeria goalkeeper Ejide as Côte d'Ivoire slowly found their stride. The Barcelona midfielder's influence grew to such an extent he was the game's most influential figure in the second period, comfortably winning his battle with Chelsea's John Obi Mikel, who lacked support.
The game's turning point arrived on the hour mark when Martins broke clear of the Ivorian back line, only to be denied by the onrushing Barry, at last showing his qualities.
The Newcastle striker has been short of form in recent months and his waning confidence showed in a muted display. With Kanu hobbling off injured and Yakubu Ayegbeni wayward in his shooting, coach Berti Vogts will be counting on a improvement from Martins before the now make-or-break meeting with Mali. The miss proved costly as, five minutes later, Kalou showed Martins how it is done.
In the first match yesterday, a first-half hat-trick from Soufiane Alloudi ensured an easy 5-1 win for Morocco over Namibia in Accra. And, in the late game, Frederic Kanoute scored with a penalty as Mali laboured to a 1-0 victory against Benin.
Namibia:Shiningayamwe, Piennar, Gariseb, April (Shatimuene 46), Benjamin, Ngatjizeko, Jacobs (Swartbooi 77), Risser, Brendell, Bester (Pineas 64), Kaimbi. Morocco: Fouhami, El Kaddouri, Basser, Ouaddou, Erbate, Safri, Kabous, Hadji (Zerka 70), Alloudi (Mokhtari 63), Sektioui (Aboucherouane 67), Chamakh.
Nigeria:Ejide, Taiwo, Apam, Martins (Makinwa 79), Yobo, Olofinjana, Obi, Shittu, Yakubu, Utaka (Odemwingie 73), Kanu (Okonkwo 56). Côte d'Ivoire: Barry, Boka, Meite, Toure, Eboue, Zokora, Toure Yaya, Gohouri (Keita 46), Dindane, Kalou, Drogba (Bakari Kone 85).
Mali:Mahamadou Sidibe, Kante, Dembele, Adama Coulibaly, Diamoutene, Amadou Sidibe, Kanoute, Diarra, Keita, Dramane Traore (Mamady Sidibe 55), Toure (Drissa Diakite 72), Mamady Sidibe (Sammy Traore 89). Benin: Chitou, Gaspoz, Adenon, Chrysostome, Oketola (Sessegnon 53), Boco, Adjamossi, Seidath Tchomogo, Ahoueya (Oladipikpo 82), Omotoyossi, Oumar Tchomogo (Maiga 70).
