By Joseph White, Associated Press, 06/27/99

LANDOVER, Md. - Nigeria became the first African team to ever advance to the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Denmark on Sunday.

Mercy Akide scored in the 25th minute and Nkiru Okosieme in the 81st as the Super Falcons finished Group A with a 2-1 record. Nigeria will play Brazil in the next round on Thursday at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium.

Akide, taking a lead pass from Patience Avre, put the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Dorthe Larsen to give Nigeria the first-half lead. Okosieme sealed the victory with a 17-yard blast after defender Jeanne Axelsen mishandled the ball at the edge of the penalty box.

In between, Denmark had a goal disallowed and missed two late chances on a humid day before a crowd of 22,109 at Cooke Stadium. The Danes, missing injured players Marlene Kristensen and Karina Christensen, needed to win to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive, and they moved most of their players forward in the second half in a failed bid to come from behind.

In first-half injury time, Janni Johansen's goal was disallowed when Gitte Krogh was whistled for pushing goalkeeper Ann Chiejine. Referee Maria Edilene Siqueira of Brazil ruled that Krogh caused Chiejine to drop the ball, allowing Johansen to put the shot home.

In the 77th minute, Chiejine pushed Axelsen's shot over the net, and Merete Pedersen's header glanced off the crossbar one minute later.

Denmark went 0-3 in the tournament, scoring just one goal.