Abuja (AFP) – Manchester City ace Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game to give Nigeria their first win of an underwhelming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Saturday in Uyo.

With the 1-0 success, Nigeria finished the group stage on five points, while Tanzania were bottom of a three-team group already won by Egypt.

The Super Eagles created a rash of chances in this dead rubber game, but wasteful finishing and the brilliance of goalkeeper Aishi Manula ensured they had to wait until the 78th minute to snatch victory at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium.

It was a winning start for new coach Gernot Rohr, but he certainly knows his team will have to improve their shooting in time for next month’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia.

The Eagles created a rash of chances in the first 45 minutes, but couldn’t not make any of them count against an inspired Manula.

In the 12th minute, skipper Mikel Obi released Ahmed Musa, but the Leicester City star failed to tuck away the opening.

On 24 minutes, Manula denied Iheanacho, before Victor Moses fluffed another chance two minutes later.

Three minutes from half time, Manula pulled off a big save to deny Odion Ighalo.

It was a similar story in the second half with Mikel denied by Manula after 59 minutes but 19-year-old Iheanacho conjured a wonder strike 12 minutes from time to finally break the deadlock.