Ivory Coast secured a major victory against fellow favourites Nigeria to go top in Group B.

Chelsea's Salomon Kalou scored the only goal of the game when he left three Nigerian defenders standing to shoot home from 15 yards after 66 minutes.

Despite an abundance of talent in the Super Eagles' squad, Nigeria's best chances fell to Obafemi Martins.

But he shot straight at the goalkeeper in the first half, while Taye Taiwo crashed a free-kick against the bar.

The first match in Sekondi hosted one of the most-anticipated games of the tournament, with two heavyweights of African football meeting in a repeat of the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.

And in the other Group B game, an unconvincing Mali secured three points with a win against Benin to go joint top of Group B with the Ivorians.

Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute scored a penalty on 49 minutes after Dramane Traore had been fouled by Alain Gaspoz.

The second match of the day to be played at the Sekondi stadium started fifteen minutes late after a power failure turned off the floodlights and plunged the arena into darkness.