WRAPUP 1-Soccer-Nigeria latest to qualify for Cup of Nations finals

PORTO NOVO, Benin, March 27 (Reuters) - Nigeria confirmed
top spot in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group with a
dramatic last-gasp 1-0 win away over neighbours Benin on
Saturday, having already secured their place at the finals
before kick off.
Nigeria's place at the tournament in Cameroon next January
was confirmed earlier on Saturday when the other two countries
in Group L -- Lesotho and Sierra Leone -- played out a drab
goalless draw in Maseru, ensuring at least a top-two finish for
leaders Nigeria.
That result left Benin needing a point to join them at the
finals, which they were on course to achieve until substitute
Paul Onuachu headed home from a goalmouth scramble three minutes
into stoppage time and seconds from the final whistle.
The victory for Nigeria was a blow for their crestfallen
hosts and keeps alive the hopes of third-placed Sierra Leone,
who must beat Benin at home on Tuesday to finish second in the
group.
Nigeria advanced to 11 points, leaving Benin on seven and
Sierra Leone with four with one game each left.
Nigeria, who jettisoned plans to travel by road to their
neighbours and went by boat instead, created the better chances,
including a flying header from Victor Osimhen that Benin
goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe saved at point-blank range in the
last action of the first half.
Soon after the resumption, Samuel Chukwueze missed from
close range with a wild shot over the bar and Osimhen hit the
post with a long-range effort.
Steve Mounie had Benin's best chance in the 52nd minute as
he chased a long back pass and almost lifted it into the net
past the on-rushing Nigeria goalkeeper.
Yet the home side gave away a needless corner right at the
end of the game from which Osimhen had his initial effort saved
by Allagbe only for the ball to pop up for Onuachu to finish.
Nigeria are the 17th team to qualify for the 24-team finals.
The last round of qualifiers starts on Sunday and concludes
on Tuesday with the final places to be decided only in Tuesday's
late matches.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Toby Davis)