It could have been worse for Tahiti as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, who were runners-up in the tournament four years ago, had a total of 31 shots during the match but wasteful finishing might hamper the Africans’ hopes of advancing.
Group B winners Spain (nine points) and runners-up Venezuela (six points) have qualified for the final 16 automatically while Nigeria (three points) now have to wait for other results to go their way in order to go through as one of the best third-place teams. Tahiti meanwhile finish bottom of the group with a winless record.
Nigeria were dominant in the opening stages of their final group match but had to wait 15 minutes for their first goal. Wingers Omatsone Aluko and King Osanga combined well to supply Obiora Nwankwo, who fired past Teave Teamotuaitau.
Tahiti went close four minutes later when Steevy Chong Hue raced past Daniel Adejo to present him with a one-on-one opportunity. However, Uche Okafor raced off his line to stop the ball with his legs.
Nigeria doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Ibok Edet headed home from King Osanga’s corner. Ten minutes later it was 3-0; Kehinde Fatai latching onto another Osanga corner.
Chong Hue had an opportunity from the edge of the box, but fired straight into the arms of the keeper, and Danny Uchechi should have done better with a glorious chance, but the stand-in skipper failed to hit the target.
Two minutes before half-time, Tahiti were reduced to 10 men when Lorenzo Tehau was dismissed for his second yellow of the night. With the final kick of the first half, Nigeria scored their fourth, when Nurudeen Orelesi’s speculative cross curled into the net.
The second half was dominated by missed opportunities by the Africans. Uchechi hit the post with a downward header, but their cause was given a further boost in the 74th minute when Tahiti were reduced to nine men; this time it was Alvin Tehau, brother of Lorenzo, who saw red for a second bookable offence.
But still Nigeria could not find a breakthrough. Substitute Raheem Lawal stung the hands of Teamotuaitau from the edge of the box and many more Flying Eagles chances were wasted. Adejo made it five in the final minute, but Samson Siasia and his side face a nervy wait with a goal difference of plus-two to see if they will end up as one of the four best third-placed sides.
For match details and full tournament coverage visit www.fifa.com/u20worldcup