Kelechi Iheanacho’s stunning late strike ensured Nigeria ended their failed Africa Cup of Nations qualifying bid with a 1-0 win over Tanzania.
The Super Eagles’ 1-0 loss to Egypt in March thwarted their hopes of reaching Gabon 2017 in a group reduced to only three teams following Chad’s withdrawal for financial reasons.
But they at least got their first victory of the campaign at the Akwa Ibom Stadium on Saturday, having shared a goalless stalemate with Tanzania last September.
With nothing but pride at stake, it was the hosts who dominated and Salisu Yusuf’s men spurned a multitude of chances before Manchester City teenager Iheanacho’s illuminating 79th-minute intervention.
Nigeria kept on pushing and it was Iheanacho who produced the goods as he finally got the better of Manula with a superb 20-yard effort that rattled the underside of the crossbar on its way in.
The visitors left it too late to apply pressure and Nigeria will now turn their focus to World Cup qualifying, which resumes against Zambia next month.