SEKONDI - Salomon Kalou's stunning strike saw favourites Ivory Coast get their African Nations Cup campaign off to the perfect start as they won their Group B opener against Nigeria on Monday.
The game needed a bit of magic to break the deadlock and the Chelsea frontman provided it on 66 minutes as he tore open the Nigeria defence before firing home the only goal of the game.
The Super Eagles had the first chance in a cagey opening period as Ayegbeni Yakubu picked out Kanu with a delightful pass but the Portsmouth player sent his shot wide of the left-hand post as he was quickly closed down by the Ivory Coast defence.
The match began to liven up and Nigeria missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the 17th minute as Taye Taiwo's powerful shot crashed off the bar following a slight deflection.
Seconds later Nigeria keeper Austin Ejide was called into action for the first time and he comfortably caught Didier Drogba's 25-yard effort.
Nigeria had a decent penalty appeal turned down after 33 minutes when Obafemi Martins was tripped by Steve Gohouri but the referee waved away the appeals and to add insult to injury booked the Newcastle forward for diving.
Ivory Coast came out after the interval determined to break the deadlock and almost did so after just three minutes as Aruna Dindane turned on the edge of the box and shook off his marker but flashed his effort narrowly wide.
They were almost made to rue that miss as, seconds later, Danny Shittu found himself unmarked 10 yards out but he looped his header just over the bar.
Arsenal defender Kolo Toure came close to giving his side the lead in the 59th minute as he latched onto Abdul Keita's corner before firing through a crowded penalty area but Ejide pulled off a good save.
However, Ejide could not do anything seven minutes later when Kalou finished off a great move started on the halfway line.
The Chelsea striker raced onto the ball before dazzling his way past three Nigeria defenders and firing an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.
Nigeria strove hard for the equaliser but were reduced to shooting from distance, never really troubling Ivory Coast keeper Boubacar Barry and in the end had to settle for a repeat scoreline of the 2006 semi-final.
