Senegal advance despite defeat as Ghana miss their chance

JOHN OBI MIKEL produced only flashes of the ability which has led to a spat between Chelsea and Man United as Nigeria pulled off an undeserved win over Senegal in the African Nations Cup.

The teenager is the subject of a FIFA investigation and claims and counterclaims from two of English football’s superpowers. But he was involved fleetingly against a Senegal side who created enough chances to win three games but could only score one goal.

Soulemayne Camara put Senegal ahead but two headers from Obafemi Martins - the second from a Mikel free-kick and a Kanu cutback - secured a victory for Nigeria which relegated their opponents to second place in Group D and a quarter-final against Guinea.

Senegal qualified in second place in the group as Ghana shot themselves in the foot with a 2-1 defeat to Zimbabwe. After dominating the first half but finishing without reward, the Ghanaians were expected to assert their presupposed superiority on the restart.

And yet it was Zimbabwe, with goals from Cephas Chimedza and Portsmouth’s Benjani Mwaruwari, who romped home. They thought they had a third - which would have taken them into the quarter-finals - but an offside flag denied them.

Baba Adamu did score from close range for Ghana in injury time, but the draw which would have taken them through ahead of Senegal was beyond them.