Ivory Coast draw comfort from Nigera stalemate as Yakubu fires blanks

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Mali dominated a tedious opening half but Bert Vogts' Nigerians improved and had an Ayegbeni Yakubu goal correctly disallowed for offside late on.

Seydou Keita then hit the bar for Mali as the match belatedly sprang to life in the closing stages.

The Nigerian starting XI featured six England-based players - Danny Shittu, Seyi George Olofinjana, Joseph Yobo, Yakubu, Obafemi Martins and Mikel John Obi - While Portsmouth's John Utaka came off the bench for the Super Eagles.

Liverpool's Juventus-bound midfielder Mohamed Sissoko played the full match for Mali, along with former Tottenham striker Freddie Kanoute.

Nigeria have just one point after two games, while Mali, who play Ivory Coast in their final group match, sit on four.