The Super Eagles yesterday night crashed out of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 1-0 loss to hosts Egypt in Alexandria.
The loss means Egypt now top the group with seven points with a round of matches to be played in June while Nigeria have two points and one game against Tanzania in September.
Teenager Radwan Sobhi grabbed the all-important goal in the 65th minute when his toed effort from just inside the box trickled behind a sea of Nigerian legs and past goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Despite their galaxy of foreign stars, Nigeria never really stretched the Egypt backline except in the 84th minute, when Victor Moses shot from outside the box came off the post with the Egypt goalkeeper well beaten.
It was also the same time in the game in Kaduna, when he rounded Ahmed Shennawi but his shot was cleared off the goal line by an Egyptian defender. Egypt created the better chances in the first half but Nigeria also had their moments during a goalless first half at a packed Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria.