Port Said, Egypt (PANA) - Nigeria on Friday grabbed the first group D ticket for the quarterfinals of the 25th Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) after beating Zimbabwe 2-0 in Port Said, Egypt.

The victory earned Nigeria six points, while its closest rivals Senegal and Ghana have three each. Cameroon Cote d'Ivoire and Tunisia have also qualified for the quarterfinals of the prestigious biannual African football event.

The Zimbabwe "Worriors" had held the much-fancied "Super Eagles" to a 0-0 first half and appeared to have plugged the loopholes that earned them a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Senegal in their opening CAN match.

However, shortly after the breathe, Nigeria pulled out midfielder Wilson Oruma and striker Julius Agahowa and brought in Nwankwo Kanu and John Mikel Obi, who gave the necessary punch to wear down the resilient Zimbabweans.

It was hard working Christian Obodo who opened the scoring off a corner taken by John Utaka on the right flank to give the Super Eagles their first goal at the 57th minute.

Substitute John Mikel Obi made it 2-0 for the Super Eagles at the 60th minutes later with a well-adjusted grass-cutter to thwart the Worriors hope of equalising.

The second group D quarter finalist will only be known on the last group matches between Senegal, which has three points and a 0- defeat, and Nigeria, as well as the last clash between Zimbabwe and Ghana, who also have three points and a 0-1 defeat.

Ghana earned its three points Friday after beating Senegal 1-0 in the first group D match in Port Said, while Senegal beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in the opening match.