Odemwingie double sends Nigeria into quarter finals

 PETER Odemwingie's fine double booked Nigeria's place in the last eight of the African Cup of Nations as the 1994 champions cruised past Mozambique in Angola.

DOUBLING UP:  Peter Odemwingie scores twice to send Nigeria through to the knock-out stages of the African Cup of Nations

The Lokomotiv Moscow forward netted twice in the space of three minutes, either side of half-time, to ensure the Super Eagles join defending champions Egypt as qualifiers from Group C.

Odemwingie broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time with a stunning low effort from distance before adding a second, two minutes after the restart, after Everton forward Yakubu had sprung the offside trap and teed up his strike partner.

Ex-Newcastle man Obafemi Martins then came off the bench to fire home after Jon Obi Mikel's effort had been well saved by Rafael to complete a routine 3-0 victory.

And it was nothing less than Nigeria deserved. Having been defeated by Egypt, the Super Eagles knew they must win to be sure of qualification and they set about their task diligently.

In fact, Odemwingie might have scored twice before eventually opening the scoring but he fired wide on six minutes before bringing a fine save out of Mozambique stopper Rafael 20 minutes later.

By that stage however, Nigeria should have already taken the lead. Chinedu Obasi missed a glorious opportunity after Danny Shittu had headed back across goal.

He headed straight at Rafael though and the Mambas nearly made Nigeria pay when defender Paito unleashed a thunderous drive that Vincent Enyeama did well to keep out.

Mozambique appeared to have survived until half-time but Odemwingie collected the ball 30 yards out before driving forward and powering his effort into the bottom corner to give Nigeria the lead.

And just two minutes after the restart, Nigeria were two to the good when Yakubu raced clear down the left and unselfishly pulled back for Odemwingie to double his tally.

While the Mambas did not throw in the towel, Nigeria's two-goal cushion ensured it was relatively plain sailing for the Super Eagles and Wolfsburg forward Martins came off the bench to notch his first of the competition to wrap up a comfortable victory.

Meanwhlie, Egypt, going in search of their seventh title, completed a routine 2-0 win over Benin to maintain their 100 per cent record in Angola.

Having already qualified for the knock-out stages, courtesy of their two victories, coach Hassan Shehata made six changes to his side but the Pharaohs still had too much in their armoury for the Squirrels.

Ahmed El Mohamady set Egypt on their way on just eight minutes when his speculative cross looped over the head of Benin keeper Yoann Djidonou and Emad Moteab made the victory safe on 24 minutes, as the defending champions continued their impressive form.