Mikel low-key in Nigeria success

John Obi Mikel produced only flashes of the ability which has led to a spat between Chelsea and Manchester 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, it was tempting to believe Zimbabwe would falter after the break and Ghana would assert their presupposed superiority.

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.

Ghana finally found the net three minutes into stoppage time, when Baba Adamu slammed the ball home from close range, but the draw which would have taken them through ahead of Senegal was beyond them.