Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Benin at Essipong stadium, Sekondi has secured their hopes to get through from Africa Cup of Nations group B thanks to Ivory Coast who beats Mali 3-0.

Both Mali and Nigeria have four points after playing all three group games, but Nigeria gets through to the quarter finals in goal difference.

Mali scores 1 goal from their win against Benin and conceded 3 goals today. Mali’s game against Nigeria ended with a goalles draw.

Meanwhile, Nigeria with four points after the win today has scored 2 and conceded 1, so they have +1 goal difference. Nigeria’s goals came from John Obi Mikel and Yakubu.

Tomorrow, Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye have their own life and death match against South Africa.

Newcastle United have offered Nigerian international striker, Obafemi Martins a staggering £26 million deal to stay at St James’ Park until 2013.

He is currently away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, with three-and-a-half years of his current contract, but Mike Ashley has sanctioned a two-year extension to Martins’ contract and a fifty per-cent rise from his current wages to £90,000 per week.

As part of the deal, Martins has agreed to forfeit his £13m release clause, which cause him as the subject of many transfer speculation this season with moves to Inter Milan, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Martins has basically suffered from mismanagement. Allardyce didn’t really know how to play him, that much was obvious. Roeder managed a little better. Keegan will instantly suss it out. Martins possesses deadly pace and the ability to hit a fierce shot.

He will be encouraged to make use of that ability without fear of his manager shouting, and King Kev will get his wingers to time their passes to him as Martins bombs on.

If there is one player bound to benefit from the Keegan effect, it is Obafemi Martins. Let’s face it, he’s a potential we have glimpsed.

Meanwhile, Steven Taylor will also ready to sign a new contract with United very soon after rejected a five-year offer in September.

Obafemi Martins! The official club site poll to pick the Goal of the Year has reach its final conclusion and announced Martins strike against Spurs as the winner.

Martins goal when Newcastle playing Spurs at White Hart Lane in January 14, 2007 collected 49% votes from a total of 2,000 voters.

Martins unstoppable 25-yard shot on goal beyond Paul Robinson help United back in the level game before Nicky Butt sealed the win 3-2 for the Magpies.

James Milner goal in United 2-2 draw against Manchester United came as runner-up with 14% and Emre’s winning strike in the dying minutes against Everton landed in third place with 11% voters. The full list of all the winners can be read on the Official site.