Nigeria have comfortably beaten Zimbabwe 2-0 in their African Cup of Nations encounter. Two goals were scored within two minutes, following the 53rd minute introduction of Kanu, and the 18 year old prodigy John Obi Mikel, who already has a number of premiership clubs clamouring after him, who scored the second goal.

With Nigerian Captain Jay-Jay Okocha working off a serious injury and only in light gym training, Nigeria had to play without him in the hope that he’ll be fit in time for the later stages of the tournament, should they qualify.

Nigeria has a strong side, although not a vintage “Super-Eagles” team. They play good football with attacking flair and solid defence. Although Jay-Jay can provide an “eye of a needle” pass, that can split a defence right down the middle, Nigeria still boast the abundant talent of Obafemi Martins, who comparatively for his size, possesses blistering pace and skill, combined with a deadly finish.

They also started with Kanu, West Brom, and the exciting John Obi Mikel, currently at Lyn Oslo, on the bench.

With no superstars on the bench but one win in the bag, Zimbabwe still seemed to be in with a chance of progressing in this years African Cup of Nations.

The first half was tight with Martins winning the ball running towards goal, deftly flicking it inside and behind the defender closing in, but unable to convert the chance. Zimbabwe coped with the pressure competently keeping their shape and picking out passes rather than just clearing their lines.

One over ambitious shot from Zimbabwe went sailing over the bar into the crowd and suggested that although they might be hard to break down their threat on the Nigerian goal wasn’t that lethal.

With the experience and quality of the Nigerian bench it would have been hard to imagine an upset. With Kanu waiting in the wings Nigeria could only get better after a goalless first half.

Straight after the restart Nigeria had a scare as the ball was worked into their box, but they cleared it and won a corner in the oppositions half.

Martins broke away from the midfield pack and was only prevented from asserting Nigeria’s dominance when Martolo managed to stop him and the number 21 cleared again to keep Zimbabwe in the game.

Throughout the game Zimbabwe were solid defensively. In the 50th minute Nigeria’s Wilson Oruma complained because there was some confusion over the Referees decision to award a free kick after a foul by Charles Yohane and then also booked the Nigerian who then delivered a great ball into the box from the set-piece, but again it was cleared by the defence.

The Nigerian Manager made two crucial substitutions just after the restart that changed the game.

John Obi Mikel, the teenage sensation, came on for Nigeria in the 54th minute with plenty of time to show his prodigious talent on the world stage.

With all eyes on the youngster, who is without doubt an attractive option to both Manchester United and Chelsea amongst other clubs following his progress Obi Mikel scored soon after coming on to seal his place in the first team.

Nwankwo Kanu came on and soon had an appeal for a free kick waved away after weaving his way to the edge of the area, but perhaps the referee got it right as the replay showed he went down a little easily.

Then a Nigerian corner in the 57th minute led to a headed goal from Chris Obodo with an assist from the substitute Obi Mikel. Chris Obodo’s fierce header hit the inside of the bar and went over the line with the force of the shot.

The introduction of the two substitutes made an immediate impact, and within a few moments John Obi Mikel the new Nigerian number 8 was on the score-sheet. If there were any doubts about the 18 year-old prodigy then he buried them with a fantastic strike from the edge of the box, showing just a glimpse of the talent that is still to come.

Benjani Mwaruwari, who now plays for Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth, had the best chances to get Zimbabwe back into it, winning possession and working tirelessly for their cause but at 2-0 the game lost its tempo and the Nigerians didn’t appear to show many signs of weakness.

Zimbabwe’s Benjani had another attempt in the 83rd minute that caught everyone’s breath, but was covered by the keeper and went just wide.

Nigeria, who have a great spirit in the camp, must still beat Senegal to qualify for the next round, but on this display they should be confident. Indeed the only time the band stopped playing was for a brief moment in the second half when Zimbabwe won a corner. In the resulting corner, the ball was cleared, and as play resumed the band played on.