Mali edged Benin 1-0 in the second part of a 2008 African Nations Cup Group B double-header Monday after Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria by the same score in a battle of giants.

Star striker Frederic Kanoute decided the match by sending goalkeeper Rachad Chitou the wrong way and calmly stroking a 49th-minute penalty kick into the corner of the net at a sweltering Essipong Stadium in this south-western city.

The outcome was predictable with Mali 13 places above Benin on the FIFA Africa rankings and boasting three Spanish La Liga players while their rivals included 37-year-old Alain Gaspoz, player-coach of a Swiss amateur club.

After a 17-minute delay owing to floodlight failure at the recently completed China-funded venue, the Malian 'Eagles' took the initiative and forced three corners within 10 minutes against the Benin 'Squirrels'.

Midfielder Seydou Keita, one of the La Liga trio, went close after 13 minutes as he pounced on a rebound just outside the penalty area and unleashed a drive that finished not far off target.

Almost immediately Benin squandered the best chance of the opening half when goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe missed a cross and midfielder Seidath Tchomogo headed wide of an open goal.ound their defenders napping and three unmarked 'Eagles' queueing at the far post, but a scrambled clearance averted the danger.

Benin, widely considered the second weakest team after Namibia among the 16 qualifiers for the biennial tournament, were showing no signs of inferiority and forced their first corner on 24 minutes.

The corner exposed a lack of aerial power at the heart of the Malian defence as Bahrain-based Seidath Tchomogo outjumped everyone only to head the ball straight at Sidibe.

Mali were not looking sharp up front as the half progressed with unopposed Keita heading an inviting cross well wide and soon after he fired a close-range free kick harmlessly into a Benin 'wall'.

Poor ball control betrayed African Footballer of the Year contender Kanoute just before the end of the half after a superb pass left the Sevilla striker in a good position.

Mali began the second half knowing they had to improve and were ahead within four minutes as Chitou could only parry a shot, Gaspoz fouled Dramane Traore as the ball ran loose, and Kanoute did the rest.

Traore was unable to continue due to injury and on came Mamady Sidibe from English second-tier club Stoke City, who feared he was going to die after being attacked by Togo fans after Mali won a crucial qualifier there last October.

The 'Eagles' continued to apply pressure, forcing Benin to make hurried clearances that gave isolated strikers Razack Omotoyossi and captain Oumar Tchomogo little chance of troubling the Mali defence.

As time ticked away Benin finally showed some menace going forward and gave the Malians several anxious moments without managing to end a record of losing every match in two Nations Cup appearances.

In the second series of group matches Friday, Benin tackle Didier Drogba-led Ivory Coast in the first half of a double-header followed by Mali against twice Nations Cup winners Nigeria.