Ivory Coast stun Nigeria, Mali and Morocco also win

In Sekondi, Ghana, a moment of individual brilliance by Salomon Kalou gave the Ivory Coast a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Nigeria's Super Eagles in a Group B match, while Mali beat Benin by the same score in the second group match in the same stadium.

 In the earlier match in Accra, Soufiane Alloudi was a hat-trick hero for Morocco as they scored a convincing 5-1 victory against Namibia in a Group A match.

 Former Tottenham Hotspur player Frederic Kanoute, who was one of four players to share the Golden Boot award at the 2004 tournament, scored the only goal of the game for Mali against Benin with a converted penalty in the 49th minute.

 The Sevilla striker set up the goal by sending through Dramane Traore, who was, rather harshly, adjudged to have been fouled by Alain Gaspoz.

 After conceding the goal, Benin suddenly became the better side and pushed forward in search of an equalizer. They came close a few minutes from the end when substitute Abou Maiga tested Mali goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe, who managed to save.

 The game started with a 12 minute delay after the floodlights stopped working while dignitaries were on the field greeting the players.

 In the game between Nigeria and the Ivory Coast, both sides, who are considered tournament favourites, disappointed in the first half, during which the Super Eagles had the best chance when Taye Taiwo's free kick smashed against the woodwork.

 An inspired substitution by Ivorian coach Gerard Gile, who brought on Lyon's Abdelkader Keita in the second half changed the complexion of the game and slowly the Elephants gained the upper-hand.

 They were rewarded for their efforts in the 66th minute when a moment of individual brilliance by Kalou gave them the goal that separated the two teams.

 The Chelsea striker received the ball outside the area, moved around four defenders before slamming the ball into the back of the net past goalkeeper Austin Edije.

 It proved to be the only goal of the game and has placed the Ivorians well onto the road for the next round.

 Kalou, who won the man of the match award, said the goal and award meant very little to him.

 "What counts is that the side won. We started our campaign with a victory against a very good side and that is the most important thing."

   In Accra, Alloudi scored all his three goals in the first half, while Tarik Sektioui and Monsef Zerka added the other. Brian Brendell scored for Namibia.

 A paltry crowd of just three hundred saw the North Africans off to a furious start, scoring twice in the opening five minutes. Alloudi opened the scoring in the second minute after being set up Maroune Chamakh, who was first to react after his ball had hit the upright.

 Alloudi made it two just three minutes later, slipping the ball past goalkeeper Abisai Shanangayamwe.

  Namibia pulled one back in the 22nd minute when SV Hamburg player Collin Benjamin set up Brendell with a defence splitting pass.

 Alloudi got his hat-trick in the 28th, heading in a cross from Sektioui. Sektioui scored Morocco's fourth in the 39th minute, converting a penalty after Michael Basser was brought down in the area.

 The goal rout continued in the 73rd minute when substitute Zerka headed in a corner from Youssef Mokhtari.

 Moroccan midfielder Youssef Safri said that he was pleased that they had won their first game.

 "I think we played well. We created chances and we used them. This will give us the confidence to go on to achieve more.

 "I think we have a strong side and we can advance far in the is competition. I do not think that we need to hide from other sides."

   The result sees Morocco top the group on goal difference from hosts Ghana, who beat Guinea 2-1 in the opening game on Sunday.

DPA