Isaac Promise opened the scoring for Nigeria against the USA

Nigeria held on to beat a 10-man USA side 2-1 on Wednesday, as the Africans grabbed a place in the quarter-finals at the Olympic Games.

The USA's Michael Orozco was sent off for elbowing Hertha Berlin's Solomon Okoronkwo in the second minute.

Nigeria's goals came from Isaac Promise in the first-half and Victor Obinna Nsofor with 11 minutes remaining.

In a frantic finish the US got a consolation goal when Sacha Kljestan converted a penalty in the 87th minute.

Nigeria's first goal came after 39 minutes with the dangerous Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi cutting into the penalty area on the left and finding Okoronkwo who had a simple tap in from five yards out.

Obinna went close for the "Dream Team IV" with a curling free kick before he sealed the game for Nigeria with 11 minutes left to play.

He picked up the ball in the box, turned a defender and buried the ball in the top right hand corner.

The Americans fought back in the closing minutes of the game and were given a life line when a rash challenge by Nigerian goalkeeper Ambruse Vanzekin lead to a penalty, which Kljestan converted.

In the other game in the group Holland also made it through to the last eight as they narrowly beat Japan 1-0.

The results mean that Nigeria topped the group on seven points and will now play the Ivory Coast in the last eight.

Holland were second in the group with five points, the US finished on four points, while Japan failed to pick up a single point.