 Mikel came close with a 20-yard shot in the draw with Mali |
Nigeria coach Berti Vogts accepted his team had not been good enough against Mali after the 0-0 draw which leaves their tournament hanging by a thread. The result means the Super Eagles must beat Benin to qualify for the last 16, but even that might not be enough if Mali draw their final game.
"I know it's not enough to have just one point from two games," said Vogts.
"We now have only one hope and that is the Ivory Coast and God. But to win we have to score."
 | We're still in the tournament so we'll have to see what happens. |
"Our players tried but our final passing was poor," he added.
"To win you have to score but it was a problem today and in the last match."
Nigeria started the tournament by losing 1-0 to Ivory Coast and to make it to the quarter-finals they must hope the Ivorians beat Mali in addition to the Super Eagles beating Benin.
Even if Mali lose in their last Group B game, Nigeria must have a superior goal difference to progress.
But despite their poor start to the tournament, Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi said his side had been short on luck.
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"We worked very hard and played very well," said Mikel.
"We've just been unlucky and the goals haven't been coming. That's something we'll have to work on.
"We're still in the tournament so we'll have to see what happens."
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