SEKONDI - Nigeria kept their African Nations Cup hopes alive with a fighting goalless draw against Mali in Sekondi on Friday.
In a game of few chances, Seydou Keita came closest to breaking the stalemate for Mali late in the day with a shot that clipped the crossbar.
Berti Vogts' Nigeria now need a win against Benin and for Ivory Coast to defeat Mali in the final round of fixtures if they are to progress from Group B.
Nigeria started positively and Obafemi Martins tested Mahamadou Sidibe early on with a powerful shot from 30 yards that the goalkeeper managed to gather.
Peter Odimwingie then picked up on an error from Adama Tamboura on the left byline before setting up Mikel John Obi to fire in a low shot that was saved by the Mali custodian.
Shortly before the half hour, a well-worked corner between Odimwingie and Mikel saw the latter head narrowly over, while Dramane Traore shot wastefully wide a short time later.
Immediately after the restart, Odemwingie almost capitalised on a fumble from Mahamadou Sidibe but his shot flew narrowly over.
Mali then hit back with two chances in quick succession - Seydou Keita first forcing Austin Ejide to make a save from his 25-yard drive before Frederic Kanoute wastefully fired over.
On the hour mark, Victor Obinna's deflected shot flew into the path of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, but the Everton striker was given no time to take aim as Mahamadou Sidibe smothered the ball.
Five minutes later Keita's corner from the right was slightly too high for Mahamadou Diarra, who headed into the crowd.
Defender Danny Shittu responded by striking a powerful free-kick on target but again Mahamadou Sidibe was there to avert the danger.
Ikechukwu Uche had an excellent chance a few minutes later when he found himself unmarked at the back post after George Olofinjana's flicked header, but could not find any power in his strike, shooting straight at the Mali goalkeeper.
The Super Eagles did get the ball into the net in the 79th minute but Yakubu's effort was deemed offside.
But just as the pressure looked to be building on the Malians, the lively Seydou Keita responded with a fantastic left-footed shot from the edge of the area that grazed the crossbar with Ejide beaten.
Again Nigeria came forward and Mikel struck a powerful low 20-yard shot that flew narrowly past the upright.
And the stalemate was ensured when Kanoute missed a good chance at the death, the Sevilla striker scuffing his shot from the centre of the penalty area.
