Nigeria atoned for an opening loss to Cote d'Ivoire by coming from behind to claim a convincing 3-1 victory over Zambia in the U23 African Cup of Nations in Cairo on Tuesday.

Zambia took a 12^th-minute lead when Patson Daka drilled past the advancing keeper after a defensive lapse but Nigeria recovered with a solid display to overturn the result.

Orji Okwokwo needed four minutes to level the score, meeting a corner at the near post with a superb side-foot volley that nestled into the far corner of the net.

Kelechi Nwakali put Nigeria ahead five minutes past the hour mark when he arrowed a free-kick past the poorly-positioned keeper.

Taiwo Awoniyi put the icing on the cake three minutes into stoppage time following another mistake from the keeper, who needlessly rushed out to allow the Mainz forward to skip past him outside the area and find an empty net.

In a tight group, South Africa are on top with four points, one ahead of Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire. Zambia lie at the bottom with a solitary point with one round to go.

The top three teams in the tournament will qualify for next year's Olympic Games in Tokyo.

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