Everton defender Joseph Yobo grabbed the winner as Nigeria triumphed 1- 0 in Equatorial Guinea Sunday to maintain a perfect record in the 2010 World Cup-African Nations Cup qualifiers.
It was the second consecutive weekend that Yobo was the star of the Super Eagles having scored the only goal in Sierra Leone last weekend just 60 seconds from full-time, the AFP reported.
There was no late drama in Malabo as Yobo struck after only five minutes to give Nigeria their third consecutive win in Group 4 and a six-point advantage over second-placed South Africa at the halfway mark of the second phase.
The fifth rated Nigerians are the only country among the top 20 on the FIFA African rankings boasting a 100 percent record and with home fixtures against Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone to come, they seem assured of first place.
Radhi Jaidi from relegated Premiership club Birmingham City was another England-based defender-cum-matchwinner, scoring on 66 minutes to earn resurgent Tunisia a vital 1-0 Group 9 victory over Burundi in Bujumbura.
After a sensational home loss to Burkina Faso, the Carthage Eagles have bounced back under new Portuguese coach Humberto Coelho with away victories in the Seychelles and Burundi.
Even if Tunisia fail to catch Burkina Faso they should be among the eight best runners-up advancing to the third and final qualifying phase with the 12 group winners.
Giantkillers Swaziland, who stunned 2006 World Cup qualifiers Togo in Group 11 last weekend, were indebted to goalkeeper Njabuliso Simelane as they fought a 0-0 draw with Zambia.
The visitors forced nine corners as they tried to atone for an away loss to Togo, but a string of acrobatic saves from Simelane kept Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) at bay at Somhlolo Stadium near Mbabane.
Swaziland remain on top with four points followed by Togo (three) and Zambia (one), but the bottom team will leapfrog into first place if they exploit home advantage and win their remaining two fixtures.
Libya joined leaders Ghana on six points in Group 5 thanks to a 1-0 away win over minnows Lesotho courtesy of a goal from Ahmed Osman nine minutes before full-time in the central South African city of Bloemfontein.
Lesotho have been forced to switch their three home fixtures because the National Stadium in Maseru is being renovated with an eye on hosting one of qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
It was the second consecutive home loss for the Lesotho Crocodiles and realistically rules them out of contention in a group completed by Gabon, who upset Ghana 2- 0 in Libreville Saturday to collect their first points.
Madagascar drew for the third consecutive weekend in Group 7 with Guy Mamihasindrahona scoring in the final minute to snatch a 1-1 draw against visiting Mozambique, who took a 33rd-minute lead through Dario Monteiro.
The late equaliser was another blow to the Mozambicans after losses to Ivory Coast and Botswana while the Malagasy are two points adrift of the joint leaders with two away fixtures to come.
Cape Verde moved within one point of Group 1 pacesetters Cameroon thanks to a 1-0 victory on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius courtesy of a late first half penalty from Portugal-based Eduardo 'Dady' Gomes.
It was the second home loss within eight days for the Mauritians while the result will not have been welcomed in Tanzania, four points behind the Cape Verdians with three rounds to go.
Another round of fixtures is scheduled for next weekend followed by one in September and another in October after which the 47 challengers will be reduced to 20 in pursuit of five World Cup and 15 Nations Cup places.