Mali edged closer to the last eight of the 2008 African Nations Cup on Friday when they held Nigeria to a goalless draw in a crucial Group B match.

Mali now four points from two matches while Nigeria have one point.

Ivory Coast top the group with six points, and have booked their place in the quarter-finals, while Benin are pointless and bottom.

The Ivorians blitzed Benin 4-1 to reach the African Nations Cup quarter-finals while Nigeria's fate in the tournament was put out of their hands after the goalless draw against Mali on Friday.

Didier Drogba scored the opening goal with Yaya Toure, Abdelkader Keita and Aruna Dindane also on target as the Ivorian 'Elephants' justified media predictions of a mismatch by putting the Beninois 'Squirrels' to flight after leading 2-0 at half-time.

Sweden-based Razack Omotoyossi scored a stoppage-time consolation goal at Essipong Stadium in this south-western town.