The Super Eagles have shot to the semi-finals of the WAFU Cup after they outclassed hosts Ghana 2-0 in final Group A match lastnight in Cape Coast.
Nigeria thus finished on five points, a point less than already-qualified Ghana.
They will now battle the winners of Group B for a place in the championship game of the sub-regional tournament.
Guinea played out a 1-1 draw with Mali after they had led 1-0 by the interval.
Mali finished third on two points, while Guinea were bottom also on two points but with an inferior goals difference.
After a goalless first half during which Nigeria should have been at least two goals up, the coach Salisu Yusuf-led team finally broke the deadlock on 52 minutes through NPFL hotshot Anthony Okpotu.
They doubled their advantage three minutes later through Plateau United left winger Peter Eneji, who has now netted two goals in this competition and was voted Man of the Match.
The Black Stars could not get behind the resolute Nigeria defence led by the giant Stephen Eze thereafter.
Start list vs Ghana (4-4-2): Ikechukwu Ezenwa – Osas Okoro, Chima Akas, Olamilekan Adeleye, Stephen Eze – Ifeanyi Ifeanyi,Afeez Aremu, Rabiu Ali, Peter Eneji – Friday Ubong (Samuel Matthias 82), Anthony Okpotu (Gabriel Okechukwu 77)
