FIFA U-20 WC: Nigeria beats Croatia 5-2, reaches round of 16 - Nigeria has become the first African team to progress to the round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia, after beating Croatia 5-2 to win its second straight group D match Wednesday (early hours of Thursday in most parts of Africa).

The high-flying Flying Eagles of Nigeria are on top of their group with the maximum six points from two matches, good enough for the team to advance to the next round, alongside host Colombia, Spain and Saudi Arabia.

Though Nigeria was not without opposition from Croatia, it was the Africans who scored first in the 25th minute, when Olanrewaju Kayode collected the ball from Abdul Ajagun and fired a shot past the Croatian goal tender.

Five minutes later, Terna Suswan scored a wonder goal, when he fired into the Croatian net from 30 yards away. But Croatia managed to pull one back through Ivan Lendric just before the interval.

On resumption of play, super striker Ahmed Musa scored in the 62nd, while substitute Uche Nwofor added two more in the space of four minutes (69th, 73rd) to complete the tally.

Nigeria is now due to meet Saudi Arabia in their final group match on Saturday.

Though the match should be a mere formality for Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, both teams will still play to win because it will determine who tops the group.

In the group's other match on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia scored six unanswered goals against group D's 'whipping boy' Guatemala to record its second victory. It was the second loss for the central Americans after they fell to Nigeria 5-0 in their opening game.

Another African team, Egypt, needs a win in its last group E game to be absolutely sure of progression, while two others - Cameroon and Mali - are a long shot from advancing.

Pana 04/08/2011