Three-time Under 17 World Cup champions, the Golden Eaglets, on Friday confirmed their superiority over Iraq with 5-0 thumping at the ongoing UAE 2013 tourney.
The result pushed the Manu Garba boys to the summit of their group as they get set for the Round of 16 of the competition.
Four goals in the first half set the tempo for the contest, which was never really going to end well for the Iraqis, who now head for home after three straight losses.
Chidiebere Nwakali hit the woodwork after only two minutes, and it was a hint of things to come as the Eaglets roared into incredible form.
Seconds later, they were into the lead when Musa Yahaya was fouled in the area and Musa Muhammed converted form the spot.
The scorer turned provider a minute later, his cross picking out Nwakali who had loads of time and acres of space to put the ball away from close range.
The former champions were 3-0 up five minutes later.
Kelechi Iheanacho, the Golden Eaglets’ danger-man, laid on a fine pass for Taiwo Awoniyi, but it broke loose and fell to the feet of Musa Yahaya, who made no mistake.
Yahaya took advantage of a rather grand error by the Iraq keeper, Hayder Mohammed, and poked home with ease from six yards out just before the half.
There wasn’t much action in the second half, with the Nigerians taking their foot off the accelerator and Iraq looking defeated and out of ideas.
On the stroke of full-time, however, Nigeria scored a fifth when substitute Chigozi Obasi hit home from 20 yards to take the Africans’ goals-for tally in the group stages to 14, one less than Brazil.
Mexico and Sweden also go through from the group as second and third-place finishers respectively
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