It was the second time in successive World Cups that the Nigerians had beaten the Bulgarians and reached the second round. They won 3-0 in Dallas in 1994 when they reached the semifinals.

This time they also dominated the match at the Parc des Princes for large periods, putting the Bulgarian goal under persistent pressure and playing some fine quick touches on the break.

Ikpeba had drawn a blank in his first 17 full internationals and had angered his team-mates before the World Cup started by complaining about their preparations. But that was all forgotten in the 27th minute.

Mid-fielder Jay-Jay Okocha found striker Daniel Amokachi, the only change in the Nigerian starting line-up after reclaiming his place following a knee injury in training, and he tapped the ball on for ikpeba to do the rest from 10metres.

He wrongfooted the experienced Bulgarian captain Trifon Ivanov and then slipped the ball past Zdravko Zdravkov.

Nigeria, with two wins out of two matches after beating spain 3-2 in the opening Group D clash, did not have it all their own way in the baking conditions and Bulgaria's attacker led by Hristo Stoichkov had their chances.

Krassimir Balakov hit the base of the post with a chip in the 41st and three minutes from time Nigerian goalkeeper Peter Rufai denied Emil Kostadinov with a brilliant save, pushing the ball on to the bar.

Rufai, who had looked shaky in the opening 3-2 defeat of Spain, held firm despite causing occasional flutters for Nigerian fans in the second half.But his save from the screaming Kostadinov effort ensured the three points went to Nigeria.

Ikpeba had other chances in 29th and 39th minutes while Sunday Oliseh tried a few of his spectacular long range shots.

Bulgarian mid-fielder Marian Hristov, who helped Kaiserslautern to the Bundesliga title this season, madehis World Cup debut after a leg injury kept him out of the side's opening 0-0 draw with Paraguay.

But, despite some promising moves in the first half, he was replaced by Daniel Borimirov at half-time.

Bulgaria further reinforced their attack by taking off struggling Ilian Iliev in the 69th for Luboslav Penev and they soon began to give Rufai more problems.

Nigeria will need a new captain for their remaining group match against Paraguay after Uche Okechukwu was booked in the 42nd minute, his second yellow card of the tournament.

A cheer went up in the 68th minute when mid-fielder Nwankwo Kanu replaced Amokachi, coming on for a World Cup debut that would have been unthinkable 18 months ago when he underwent heart surgery that threatened to end his career.

He showed his strength by ripping in a dangerous shot in the 77th minute that Zdravkov pushed out for a corner. Teams:

Nigeria: 1-Peter Rufai; 3-Celestine Babayaro, 5-Uche Okechukwu (captain), 6-Taribo West, 7-Finidi George (13-TijaniBabangida 85), 8-Mutiu Adepoju, 10-Jay-Jay Okocha, 11-Garba Lawal, 15-Sunday Oliseh, 20-Victor Ikpeba (9-Rashidi Yekini 76), 14-Daniel Amokachi (4-Nwankwo Kanu 68)

Bulgaria: 1-Zdravko Zdravkov; 3-Trifon Ivanov (captain), 2-Radostin Kishishev, 4-Ivailo Petkov, 13-Gosho Ginchev, 14-Marian Hristov (18-Daniel Borimirov 46), 6-Zlatko Yankov (19-Georgi Bachev 85), 10-Krassimir Balakov, 11-Ilian Iliev (9-Lyuboslav Penev 69), 7-Emil Kostadinov, 8-Hristo Stoichkov.

Referee: Mario Sanchez Yanten (Chile)