Nigeria were held to a frustrating 0-0 stalemate by Mali in the opening Group A match of the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Thursday evening.

Super Eagles dominated large parts the encounter, played in nearly an empty venue, but were unable to provide the finishing touches to wave-after-wave of attack.

Salisu Yusuf’s troops started the game on the front foot with Stephen Nze and Olamileka Ainyikaye combining well in attack; the later going close on the half-hour mark as his attempt was cleared off the line.

Ikechukwu Ezemwa was then called into action with 39 minutes on the clock as the Eagles of Mali flexed their muscles before the break.

Diane, manning the touchline subbed off the trio Ifeanyi,Gabriel and Moses at the interval.

Nigeria continued to dominate possession and territory with Friday John denied by Esemwa in the 69th minute. Olamike Aniyikaye then we close in the 82nd minute as his powerful effort flew over the crossbar.

Stephen Aze had late chance to win it for the hosts, but he was denied by the Mali shot-stopper in second-half stoppage-time as Nigeria had to settle for a draw.

The teams:

Mali: 16. Diarra, 13. I Samake, 4 Samassekou, 15. I Traore, 14. L Samake, 17. M Traore (2. Bah 64’), 6. Konte, 8. Coulibaly, 7. Malle (10. Niangadou 77’), 11. Kone, 9. Kida (18. Dieng 65’).

Nigeria: 1. Esenwa, 2. Okoro, 6. Eze, 5. Ariwachukwu, 3. Akas, 4Aremu, 8. Ifeanyi (17. Ashadi 62’), 10. Ali, 7. John, 14. Gabriel (9. Okpotu 76’), 18. Eduwo (11. P Moses 61’).