Nigeria scraped into the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals on goal difference after beating Benin 2-0 on Tuesday to set up an appetising clash with hosts and arch-rivals Ghana. The Super Eagles pipped Mali, thumped 3-0 by Côte d'Ivoire in the other Group B game, after both finished level on four points.

Guinea brought more drama to the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday with a shock 3-2 win over Morocco while hosts Ghana struggled to beat rank outsiders Namibia 1-0. Pascal Feindouno scored twice for Guinea before being sent off for stamping on an opponent in a bad-tempered match.

Angola are hopeful of upsetting favourites Senegal when they meet in their African Nations Cup Group D match on Sunday. South Africa face Tunisia in the other half of a double bill at the Tamale Sports Stadium where all four teams have one point from their opening match.

Two Fifa executive committee members were banned and fined following an investigation into allegations they had offered to sell their vote.

Fifa's ethics committee cleared president Sepp Blatter in soccer's bribery investigation on Sunday but temporarily suspended his former rival.

The 25-year-old Lionel Messi has been named the world's best player for the fourth time in a row.

Nigeria scraped into the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals on goal difference after beating Benin 2-0 on Tuesday to set up an appetising clash with hosts and arch-rivals Ghana. The Super Eagles pipped Mali, thumped 3-0 by Côte d'Ivoire in the other Group B game, after both finished level on four points.

Guinea brought more drama to the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday with a shock 3-2 win over Morocco while hosts Ghana struggled to beat rank outsiders Namibia 1-0. Pascal Feindouno scored twice for Guinea before being sent off for stamping on an opponent in a bad-tempered match.