Coach Serge Deveze has praised his Benin under-20 squad

Benin and Mali battled out a 3-3 draw at the Friendship Stadium in Cotonou while across town at the Rene Pleven ground Nigeria beat the Ivory Coast 1-0.

Five goals were scored in the first half of Benin's match as the hosts went into the break 3-2 up.

Mali opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a goal by Kalifa Dembele, the Young Squirrels equalised four minutes later through Romauld Boco.

Boubacar Kebe restored Mali's lead in the 35th minute but Benin drew level again just four minutes later as Bachirou Osseni found the target.

Benin went into the break 3-2 ahead when Razak Omotyossi scored a goal in the final minute of the first half.

Mali grabbed a share of the points when Koniba Ladji found the net in the 65th minute.

Despite dominating the match Mali were unable to find a winner and finished their campaign bottom of the group.

The final result sent the Benin fans into wild celebrations and their French coach Serge Deveze was equally as happy.

Taye Taiwo (right) scored Nigeria's winner against the Ivory Coast

"It was a difficult game but I'm glad to have taken my side the side to its first ever World Youth Championships," he said.

"We have secured this qualification as a tribute to the memory of our late teammate Youssoufou 'Campos' Samiou."

Nigeria made it three wins out of three with a narrow victory over the Ivory Coast as Taye Taiwo scored his second goal of the tournament in the 67th minute.

The Flying Eagles victory means they finsh top of Group A and will face the runners-up from Group B in the semi-finals.

Benin were second in Group A and will play the winners of Group B in the final four, with both semi-finals being played on Wednesday.