The Flying Eagles Thursday night advanced to the Round of 16 of the U20 World Cup in Poland after they held Ukraine to a 1-1 draw.
The Nigeria U20s will likely finish as one of the four third-best losers on four points from three matches.
They could clash with Argentina, Italy or fellow West Africans Senegal in the knockout stage.
Ukraine won Group D on seven points, while USA were second after they pipped Qatar 1-0 to finish on six points.
Flying Eagles went behind after half an hour when Danylo Sikan headed home past a hapless goalkeeper Olawale Oremade after Ukraine split open the defence.
Nigeria got a lucky break on the dot of halftime when they were awarded a penalty after Tijani Mohammed was clattered inside the box.
However, the big striker Tijani was denied by the Ukraine goalkeeper Lunin, who is on the books of Real Madrid.
The Czech-based centre-forward was second time lucky in the 51st minute, when a Ukraine defender handled the ball inside his box and VAR adjudged it to be a penalty for Nigeria to draw level.
Ukraine deserved their lead as they attacked from the first whistle and bossed possession for most of the first half.
Nigeria stepped up their game and their endeavour was rewarded with a penalty to level scores early in the second half and that was how the scores stood till the end of this contest.
Olawale Oremade – Ikouwem Udoh, Rabiu Mohammed, Aliu Salawudeen, Igho Ogbu – Nnamdi Ofoborh, Aniekeme Okon, Kingsley Michael – Maxwell Effiom (Henry Offia 74), Tijani Mohamed (Yira Sor 90), Success Makanjuola (Peter Eletu 87)
Coach: Paul Aigbogun
