Essipon(W/R), Jan. 21, GNA - The Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire put up a splendid performance to pip their more fancied Nigerian counterparts, the Super Eagles 1-0 in the opening group "B" match of the 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations tournament at the Essipon stadium, near Sekondi on Monday.

The lone goal, which came through Chelsea's striker Solomon Kalou, broke the deadlock in the 66th minute when he took a perfect pass from team mate, Captain Didier Drogba to ghost past four Nigerian defenders before placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Austin Ejide.

Abdul Kader Keita nearly increased the tally to two for the Elephants three minutes later but his point blank shot was pushed to corner by Enyeama.

The goal came around when everything pointed to a goalless drawn game as both teams, which paraded their top stars, struggled to find the net but to no avail.

Nigeria took up the challenge and made a number of incursions into the vital area of their opponents but the defence of the Elephants, pivoted around Didier Zokora was resolute.

The Nigerian team made a couple of substitutions with Onyekachi Okonkwo coming in for Nwankwo Kanu, who was injured, and Stephen Makinwa for Obafemi Martins. This nearly paid off as they worked hard to find the equaliser but each time their efforts were thwarted by the excellent goal keeping of Boubacar Barry in goal for the Elephants. Disappointment was written on the faces of the Nigerian fans as the whistle went for the end of the match that was attended by an estimated 20,000 of soccer fans mainly from both countries.

Line up for the Super Eagles: Austin Ejide, goalkeeper;, Joseph Yobo; Taiwo Taye; Nwankwo Kanu/Onyekachi Okonkwo; Obinna Nwaneri; Daniel Shitu; John Utaka; Yakubu ayegbeni; Obafemi Martins/Stephen Makinwa; John Obi Mikel and Peter Odemwingie.
Line up for the Elephants: Boubacar Barry; Tohouri Djakpa; Boka Arthur; Kolo Toure; Didier Zokora; Lohore Gohouro; Emerse Fae; Salomon Kalou; Arouna Koane; Kouassi Yao and Didier Drobga/Bakari Kone.
Referee: Mohammed Benouza of Algeria.