Nigeria join Ivory Coast in Cup quarterfinals

SEKONDI, Ghana -- Nigeria joined Group B winners Ivory Coast in qualifying for the African Nations Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The Ivory Coast handed the Super Eagles a massive favor by winning 3-0 against Mali -- who held the second qualifying spot after two rounds.

Two-time champions Nigeria were in danger of missing out after losing 1-0 to the Ivorians in their opening game and then drawing 0-0 with Mali, and German coach Berti Vogts was left facing the sack after receiving widespread criticism.

However, second-half goals from Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel and Everton striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu were enough to put Nigeria through to the knockout stage on goal difference ahead of Mali.

Vogts' side will next face Ghana in Accra on Sunday, after the hosts topped Group A following a 2-0 victory over Morocco on Monday.

The Ivory Coast had already qualified, but ensured top spot and a last-eight clash with Group A runners-up Guinea in Sekondi on Sunday thanks to goals from skipper Didier Drogba, Marc Zoro and Boubacar Sanogo.

Vogts made three changes after the Mali stalemate, bringing in Dickson Etuhu, John Utaka and Ikechukwu Uche for Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor and the suspended Seyi Olofinjana, while striker Kanu was still sidelined by injury.

After a lackluster first half, Mikel put Nigeria in front with a header from the near post in the 52nd minute when Benin goalkeeper Yoann Djidonou failed to hold a powerful free-kick by Taye Taiwo.

Substitute Nsofor headed against the woodwork in the 66th minute before Mikel's long ball set up Yakubu -- who missed a golden chance early in the first half -- for the vital second goal in the 85th minute.

The result was a relief for Vogts, who is trying to avoid becoming only the second coach to fail to take Nigeria into the semifinals of the tournament.

Forward Osaze Odemwingie will miss the next game after picking up his second booking of the tournament.

"We asked for something of a miracle and it happened. We are now up against the host team and if we want to progress in this competition, we will have to beat them as well," he said.

"We showed great mental strength and that is what we will need again on Sunday. Rule us out at your own risk."

In capital Accra, Chelsea striker Drogba marked his 50th international cap by putting the Ivory Coast ahead in the ninth minute against Mali.

Drogba, whose wife is from Mali, ran on to Yaya Toure's pass and beat Mali keeper Mahamadou Sidibe from the left side of the penalty area.

Zoro headed wide of an open goal in the 18th minute as Mali struggled without suspended skipper Mahamadou Diarra.

Mali coach Jean-Francois Jolar took off injured striker Fredi Kanoute at half-time and replaced him with midfielder Momo Sissoko -- who the same day completed his move from Liverpool to Juventus -- but his team went further behind eight minutes after the break.

Benfica defender Zoro headed in Kader Keita's corner from the left to make it 2-0 before Mali hit the crossbar through Dramane Traore's angled header.

Drogba came off with 15 minutes to go, and five minutes later substitute Sanogo pounced on a rebound to complete the victory. E-mail to a friend

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