The Super Eagles of Nigeria have booked a play-off spot after playing out a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday.
The three-time African champions knew a draw from this encounter would seal their qualification, as Victor Osimhen tucked home an early lead for Super Eagles.
But four minutes later, the visitors restored parity after Gernot Rohr’s men failed to clear their lines with Stopira getting on the end of a corner to make it 1-1.
The Super Eagles started the second half brightly as they began to attack quickly to take the lead.
The first-half had ended in a stalemate but the second 45 minutes saw both teams creating goal scoring chances.
The Cape Verdeans came knocking on Super Eagles door late on, but Nigeria held on to claim the vital one point they needed to qualify for the play-offs.
Former Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo made his return to the squad for the first time since 2019 but the AFCON golden boot winner could not get his name on the scoresheet.
Ighalo was later replaced in the 78th minute by Leicester City’s star, Kelechi Iheanacho.
