Nigeria eased into the knockout stages of the African Cup of Nations with a comfortable 3-1 win over Sudan on Saturday.
The Super Eagles became the third team through to the last 16 after host Cameroon and Morocco.
Nigeria scored at crucial times in Garoua against the Sudanese, starting when Samuel Chukwueze slotted home from close range in the third minute.
Taiwo Awoniyi made it 2-0 right on halftime and Moses Simon scored the third in the first minute of the second half when he tucked the ball in from a tight angle on the left.
That double blow around the break ensured there was no Sudan comeback, although the Sudanese did get on the scoresheet in the 70th from a penalty by Walieldin Khedr.
Khedr tucked it away but there were never really any signs that a Sudan comeback might be possible.
Nigeria is developing into one of the favourites at the African Cup despite coming into the tournament without key strikers Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo and Emmanuel Dennis, and after parting ways with coach Gernot Rohr last month.
Nigeria started with a 1-0 win over Egypt when interim coach Augustine Eguavoen was praised for the tactics that kept Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah contained.
Egypt played Guinea-Bissau later Saturday at the same Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua in the other game in Group D.
Recap as Sportsmail’s Jeorge Bird provided live Africa Cup of Nations coverage of Nigeria vs Sudan, including build-up, team news and updates.
Match report
Nigeria cruised past Sudan 3-1 at the Africa Cup of Nations to guarantee their place in the last-16 with a match to spare.
Building on their impressive win over Mohamed Salah and seven-time champions Egypt in a heavyweight Group D opener in midweek, the Super Eagles brushed aside limited opposition on Saturday evening thanks to goals from Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon.
Walieldin Khedr Safour Daiyeen got Sudan off the mark at their first AFCON tournament for a decade with a consolation penalty in the second half after a foul by Ola Aina.
The result means Augustine Eguavoen’s side join hosts Cameroon and Morocco by sealing a spot in the knockout rounds, with their final group game to come against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday evening.
Unchanged from that statement 1-0 win over Egypt secured by Kelechi Iheanacho’s first-half goal, Nigeria – who won the last of their three AFCON titles in South Africa in 2013 – were ahead after only three minutes at the Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua.
