An excellent second half from the CHAN Eagles ensured that they qualified for the quarter final of the 2018 African Nations Championship on Tuesday night.
The Eagles came back from a goal down to defeat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 in Group C clash at the Stade Adrar in Agadir, Morocco.
Goals from Anthony Okpotu, Dayo Ojo and Rabiu Ali was all the 2014 CHAN Bronze Medalists needed to scale through as Group winners with seven points after a first half scare from Nsi Eyama Salvador.
Ojo had an early pop at goal from the edge of the area, but his attempt was always rising. It was a fast start by the West Africans who were desperate to avoid elimination.
In the space of three minutes, the duo of Emeka Ogbugh and Stephen Eze had chances to score but they couldn't make it count.
Ogbugh saw his free kick cleared to safety by the Guineans while Eze's header flew wide off the mark.
Osas Okoro tried his luck from range, but he failed to hit the target.
It was a rather subdued start to proceedings in Agadir after 30 minutes in which Nigeria were clearly dominant.
The Eagles got a shock of their lives in the 40th minute. Salvador powered home a header from a corner-kick to give Nzalang Nacional a surprise lead.
Young striker Faleye was guilty of a criminal miss minutes before half time. The skillful lad fired wide with the goal at his mercy.
Five minutes into the second half, there was a simple chance for Okpotu after the Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper failed to catch a ball floated into the area, but the striker was unable to capitalize.
The Eagles sustained a good spell and had their leveller shortly after, this time Okpotu didn't make any mistake with his effort. He powered an unstoppable header into the roof of the net from close range. It was a great cross from Osas.
Ojo who dictated the flow of the game at the midfield put the Eagles in the lead for the first time with a world class goal.
The playmaker hit an unstoppable long range effort beyond the goalkeeper.
Seven minutes from regulation time, it was 3-1 for Nigeria as substitute Rabiu Ali expertly converted a penalty kick.
It was a deserved win for the Eagles who marched into the knockout stages alongside Libya who scored a late winner in their clash against Rwanda at the same time