Nigeria 1 - 0 Benin
| Stadium: | Estadio do Benguela | ||
| Attendance: | 8,000 | ||
| Match Time: | January 16, 2010, 16:00 UK | ||
| Official(s): | Henrique Martins de Carvaldo (Referee) | ||
| Nigeria | Benin | ||
| Ayegbeni Yakubu (pen 42) | |||
A single goal from the penalty spot by Yakubu was enough to secure all three points for Nigeria in the group stages of the 2010 African Nations Cup and move them up to second in Group C.
In an entertaining game Benin had the first decent effort on goal when Seidath Tchomogo saw a 25 yard effort whistle past the left upright. This acted as a wake up call for the Super Eagles who then started to increase their influence on the game with Yakubu blasting wide when through on goal.
However, Benin had obviously not read the script and went close twice – firstly from a Stephane Sessegnon free kick and then again when the same player hit the crossbar.
In the 39th minute a goal mouth scramble resulted in the ball breaking out wide for Ogbuke who crossed in for Odemwingie to power a header goalwards. The unfortunate Boco was standing in the way and the ball hit his hand, even though he couldn’t really move out of the way of it.
From the resulting penalty Yakubu stepped up and sent the ball down the middle to put Nigeria ahead.
In the second half Benin flew out of the traps and again hit the crossbar after more good work by Sessegnon. Shortly after, only a fantastic save from Chitou denied substitute Victor Obinna moments after the Malaga forward had come off the bench.
15 minutes from time Nigeria should have scored again, but Obasi Ogbuke headed wide from close range.
Group C
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Egypt | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
| Nigeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | –1 | 3 |
| Benin | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | –1 | 1 |
| Mozambique | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | –2 | 1 |