Nigeria revived their hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup with a nervy 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo.
New Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare proved to be the match-winner for the Super Eagles, volleying in from two yards out six minutes into the second half.
The West Africans leapfrog the Rwandans and go third in Group C, six points behind leaders South Africa – who they face in Bloemfontein in a crunch game on Tuesday (16:00 GMT).
With three rounds of fixtures remaining and only the group winners assured of a place at the finals next year, Nigeria must realistically win that game to stay in contention for top spot and avoid missing a second successive edition of the World Cup.
However, their hopes could be boosted if South Africa are docked three points for fielding an ineligible player in their victory over Lesotho in March.
World governing body Fifa is yet to rule on that case.
Should Nigeria fail to overhaul Bafana Bafana, they could yet reach African play-offs as one of four best second-placed sides, with one nation then progressing to a final intercontinental qualifier.
