Jay-Jay who?

The result puts Nigeria three points clear at the top of group D with six points after Ghana's 1-0 win over Senegal on Friday.

The match was a tight affair with Nigeria getting the best chances on goal but an inspired Zimbabwe defending and countering well, with particularly eye-catching performances from Benjani, Joel Lupahla and Shingera Kaondera.

Even Obefami Martins' blistering pace was shackled by Zvenyita Makonese and James Mutola, while Julius Ahgahowa and John Utaka were rendered anonymous.

Taye Taiwo - some impressive against Ghana - went close with a long-range effort, but until as late as the 55th minute Nigeria struggled for genuine inspiration.

For that was the moment when Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen played a tactical masterstroke. Bringing off the disappointing Ahgahowa and the tiring Oruma, experienced playmaker Nwankwo Kanu was joined on the pitch with the much-heralded but little-seen Lyn starlet John Obi Mikel.

The 18 year-old midfielder has been subject to an extended tug-of-war between English giants Manchester United and Chelsea and from the 39 minutes on display in Port Said it is easy to see why.

First he started the move that saw Kanu shout for a penalty and Nigeria win a corner. The first delivery was near-lethal, the ball sent into the danger area and panic ensuing with bodies flying. Corner two was lethal, a pin-point delivery to the unmarked Christian Obodo, who cannoned his headed off the underside of the bar to finally put Nigeria ahead.

There was even better to come - three minutes later, just after the hour mark, Obi Mikel picked the ball up ten yards outside the box, set up a perfect shooting opportunity with one touch and lashed the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Gift Mudzadzi's goal to double the lead and seal the win for Nigeria.

He wasn't satisfied there - with a typical youngster's love of the game, obi Mikel noncholantly stroked the ball about, pinging crossfield passes and turning on sixpences for fun.

Nigeria could have had two or three more, had it not been for wasteful finishing and odd refereeing decisons, denying them at least two penalties. To be fair to plucky Zimbabwe, they could easily have had one on the scoresheet too, Benjani going close and Koandera shooting tamely at Vincent Enyeama when perhaps passing was the better option.

Enyeama himself also made a superb save from Benjani with five minutes remaining, but Nigeria kept Zimbabwe at bay and - bar a heavy defeat to Senegal and a Ghana thrashing of Zimbabwe - should qualify for the quarter finals of the African Nations.