By Maxwell Kumoye with additional report by Reuters
The Super Eagles of Nigeria took a significant step towards qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, securing a decisive 1-0 victory over Libya on Friday in Uyo.
Substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru broke the deadlock in the 87th minute, unleashing an unstoppable strike from inside the area to give the three time African champions the win.
The win cements Nigeria's position at the top of Group D, a point ahead of their nearest rivals Benin Republic that hit Rwanda 3-0.
Nigeria needs only three points from their remaining three matches, in order to secure their place in the finals of the prestigious African tournament next year.
In another AFCON qualifier, Mohamed Salah was on target to help Egypt maintain their 100 percent record in the race to reach Morocco with a comfortable 2-0 home win over Mauritania, however Tunisia slipped to a shock 1-0 home defeat to Comoros in their fixture on Friday.
Salah added to an opener from Trezeguet in Cairo as Egypt toiled for almost 70 minutes before they broke down the Mauritania defence to move six points clear at the top of Group C at the midway point of the qualifiers.
Tunisia were heavy favourites after starting their campaign with two wins, but despite 15 goal attempts fell to a lone strike from Rafiki Said just past the hour mark.
It was Tunisia's first home defeat in Cup of Nations qualifiers since 2010 but they remain on top of Group A with six points from three games. Comoros are behind them on five points.
The top two teams in each pool advance to the 24-team finals in Morocco next year.
Holders, the Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire brushed aside Sierra Leone 4-1 in San Pedro as Franck Kessie scored a brace, both netting and missing a penalty. Nicolas Pepe was also on target as they made it three wins from three.
Meanwhile, former African Footballer of the Year and ex Liverpool FC forward Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson were both on the scoresheet for Senegal as they beat 10-man Malawi 4-0 in Diamniadio. Senegal and Burkina Faso are each on seven points at the top of the pool and favourites to qualify.
Five time African champions Cameroon eased to a 4-1 victory over Kenya as Bryan Mbeumo took his Premier League form with Brentford onto the international stage with a goal, to go with a penalty from Vincent Aboubakar, a first international strike for Martin Hongla and a goal from Christian Bassogog.
South Africa recorded the joint second biggest win in their history as they thumped Congo 5-0 in Gqeberha to continue their good form under coach Hugo Broos. Victory over the same opponents in Brazzaville on Tuesday will see them qualify.
Teboho Mokoena netted a brace to go with goals from Bathusi Aubaas, Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners.
Bevis Mugabi scored the only goal as group leaders Uganda beat South Sudan 1-0 in the other fixture in the pool.
There were also wins for Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Angola and Mali, but Avram Grant’s Zambia were held to a surprise 0-0 draw at home by Chad that leaves them in second place with four points from a possible nine in their pool.
Other results are:
Namibia 0-1 Zimbabwe
Scorer: Billiat 34 (pen)
Cabo Verde 0-1 Botswana
Scorer: Orebonye
Congo DR 1-0 Tanzania
Scorer: Mzize 55 (og)
Ghana 0-0 Sudan
Algeria 5-1 Togo
Scorers: Benrahma 29, 55pen, Aouar 68, Gouiri 86, Amoura 90+6 / Klidje 11
Burkina Faso 4-1 Burundi
Scorers: Ouattara 33, 44, Banse 34, Dayo 49 / Kanakimana 4
Mozambique 1-1 Eswatini
Scorers: S. Ratifo 74’ / T. Mavuso 80’
Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Liberia
Scorers: I. Salvador 34’ (pen)
Zambia 0-0 Chad
Madagascar 1-1 Gambia
Scorers: C. Couturier 45+2’ / Y. Minteh 90+7’
Egypt 2-0 Mauritania
Scorers: M. Trezeguet 69’, M. Salah 79’
Benin 3-0 Rwanda
Scorers: S. Mounie 7’, A. Hountondji 67’, H. Imouran 70’
Nigeria 1-0 Libya
Scorers: F. Dele-Bashiru 87’
Cameroon 4-1 Kenya
Scorers: V. Aboubakar 8’ (pen), M. Hongla 39’, B. Mbeumo 43’, C. Bassogog 55’ / M. Olunga 41’
Uganda 1-0 South Sudan
Scorers: B. Mugabi 47’
Ghana 0-0 Sudan
South Africa 5-0 Congo
Scorers: T. Mokoena 13’, 27’, B. Aubaas 37’, L. Foster 52’, I. Rayners 79’
Tunisia 0-1 Comoros
Scorers: R. Said 63’
Senegal 4-0 Malawi
Scorers: P. Gueye 35’, S. Mané 69’, B. Dia 71’, N. Jackson 77’
Côte d'Ivoire 4-1 Sierra Leone
Scorers: N. Pepe 3’, F. Kessié 51’, 75’ (pen) / A. Koroma 43’, O. Diakite 87’ (pen)
Mali 1-0 Guinea Bissau
Scorers: E. Toure 62’
Gabon 0-0 Lesotho
Angola 2-0 Niger
Scorers: Mabululu 75’ (pen), Milson 85’
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