Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored his second-ever goal for the Nigeria national team as the Super Eagles secured a late 1-0 win over the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in their third Group D 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Friday night.

There was a lack of real action in the first half of the encounter, with Nigeria failing to create any substantial threat in the final third. The Libyan backline did enough to stop crosses coming into their 18-yard box, keeping the match goalless in the first 45 minutes in Akwa Ibom.

Alex Iwobi had the chance to find the net in the 56th minute, but the midfielder’s head failed to connect well with Bruno Onyemachi’s cross, and the ball went wide. The Fulham man then fired Ademola Lookman’s pass high and wide from the centre of the box three minutes later.

Lookman thought he had broken the deadlock for Nigeria in the 83rd minute after firing a looped pass into the net, but the goal, which would definitely have stood if VAR was available, was ruled out for offside.

Three minutes later, substitute Dele-Bashiru finally broke the deadlock for Nigeria as the Lazio man connected well with Moses Simon’s cross from the left side of the pitch to secure the maximum points for the West African country.

The win ensures Nigeria remains at the top of their group with seven points from three matches — one point ahead of second-placed Benin Republic. Benin Republic defeated Rwanda 3-0 in the other Group D fixture.

A win for Nigeria in the return leg in Libya on Tuesday would ensure the Eagles’ early qualification for the finals of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.