Nigeria ousted holders and bitter rivals Cameroon from the Africa Cup of Nations as they scored twice in three minutes to come from behind and win a thrilling last-16 match 3-2 yesterday.
Odion Ighalo gave Nigeria a 19th-minute lead but Cameroon hit back with two goals in quick succession before halftime from Stephane Bahoken and Clinton Njie.
Ighalo levelled again for Nigeria in the 63rd minute amid suspicions of offside before Alex Iwobi snatched the winner for the jubilant Super Eagles three minutes later.
The win earned Nigeria a quarterfinal against hosts Egypt or SA, meeting later yesterday.
It was a scrappy opening with misplaced passes by both sides until Nigeria went ahead with an untidy goal.
Cameroon's defence failed to deal with a free-kick into the area and Kenneth Omeruo found Ighalo, who reacted quickly and scored with a shot deflected into the net.
The Nigeria defence still looked vulnerable as a wild miskick by Omeruo gave Cameroon a corner and they also handed Cameroon a chance which Pierre Kunde Malong wasted by firing over.
But the game turned dramatically before halftime as Cameroon struck twice in three minutes. Christian Bassogog wriggled past his marker on the right and crossed perfectly into the area, leaving Bahoken with the formality of scoring in the 41st minute.
Nigeria barely had time to recover when Cameroon struck again with Bahoken flicking to Clinton Njie, who raced past Olaoluwa Aina and drilled the ball into the net.
Goalkeeper Victor Akyepi made a desperate save to prevent a Nigeria own goal in the second half before another twist.
Nigeria levelled in the 61st minute when Ahmed Musa chested the ball into the path of Ighalo to volley home.
Three minutes later Ighalo set up Iwobi, who beat Andre Onana with a calm finish to set off wild celebrations among the Nigerian players, officials and media.
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