Ivory Coast are on the verge of securing their place in the African Cup of Nations quarter-finals after hammering Benin 4-1 in Sekondi on Friday. The Elephants went to the lockers room two-up, thanks to two strikes from Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure. Abdul-Kader Keita and Aruna Dindane ensured the victory in the second-half as Razak Omotoyossi's late goal for Benin was no more than a consolation. Ivory Coast top Group B with six points, three ahead of second-placed Mali. The 2006 runners-up will ensure their progress to the next round if Mali defeated or drew with Nigeria later in the day. It was Benin who made the first threat in the 11th minute through talented striker Omotoyossi. The Helsingborg man slipped the ball between Arthur Boka's legs inside the area but he failed to score from close range, drilling wide instead. Ivory Coast totally dominated afterwards and were unlucky not to open the scoring on several occasions. In the 12th minute, Drogba whipped in a cross from the right to the unmarked Dindane, whose free header was denied by the post. Ivory Coast came close again one minute later when Dindane found Salomon Kalou at the far post but the Chelsea forward's side-footed effort bounced off the ground and missed the target.
Drogba broke Benin's resistance in the 40th minute. Yaya Toure intercepted the ball in midfield and threaded a pass through to the prolific striker, who calmly slotted home. The Barcelona midfielder turned from provider to scorer to extend the lead just before the break after some good work from his brother Kolo. The Arsenal defender beat three challengers near the byline and provided a low cross which evaded the keeper and went to Yaya, who had the easiest of tap-ins at the far post. Kolo Toure had to leave the pitch moments later due to injury, making way to Steve Gohouri. Ivory Coast went three up in the 53rd minute after they were helped by a dreadful error from Damien Chrystosome, who gave up possession to Drogba. Lyon forward Keita then controlled the ball and went clear before poking home past the hapless guardian. Dindane completed the rout ten minutes later, thanks to a piece of magic from Drogba. The Chelsea striker superbly controlled a long ball before directing it across the area for Dindane, who headed into the back of the net. Omotoyossi notched a consolation for Benin, their first goal in the tournament, in stoppage time when he powered a fierce header beyond the motionless Boubacar Barry.
