Tanzania fought to earn a 1-0 win over Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier to maintain third spot on Sunday at Dar es Salaam's Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Simon Msuva struck at the tail end of the first half to ensure Taifa Stars would end the tie as winners at the expense of the heavily changed Libyan side.
After almost 44 minutes of knocking on Libya's door unsuccessfully, Tanzania took the lead in the second minute of added time of the second half through Msuva's header. Yanga SC's Deus Kaseke provided the assist that they needed to break the wall established by the Mediterranean Knights.
Earlier, in the 45th minute, returning Jonas Mkude was yellow carded in what was an instance of foul play that warranted a yellow card.
Rabia Al Shadi was the first player to be substituted as Libya made a change in the 46th minute with Ahmed Al Qadri taking his place. Mohammed Touhami's substitution followed later when Faisal Al Badri was introduced almost a minute later.
The first change by Taifa Stars came in the 56th minute as Shaban Idd Chilunda took the place of Kaseke before Msuva was withdrawn for Azam FC's Ayoub Lyanga at the 60th-minute mark.
In a bid to strengthen the backline, deep-lying midfielder Mkude was substituted as Yanga's centre-back Bakari Mwamnyeto took his place one minute after the hour mark.
Another change for Taifa Stars was effected in the 73rd minute when Hassan Dilunga left the pitch for Abdul Hamisi and the final substitution was done in the 74th minute with Himid Mao's introduction in place of Feisal Salum.
Libya's last change saw Rabbie Ellafi replaced by Ahmed Al Maghasi nine minutes before the regular time elapsed. In the 90th minute, a second yellow card was given and this time around it was Simba's Erasto Nyoni who was booked.
Tanzania head coach Kim Poulsen made three changes to the squad that started against Equatorial Guinea as he dropped the Simba duo of Muzamiru Yassin and Mohamed Hussein as well as Iddi Nado of Azam.
On his part, Libya's Zoran Filipovic made a whooping 10 changes to the squad that lost to Tunisia as he trusted a new-looking team to face Taifa Stars.
The North African side ended the qualifiers with just a win while they lost the remaining fixtures. Tanzania picked a win, one draw and lost three qualifiers as they failed to book an Afcon ticket.
With Kenya and Tanzania eliminated from the qualifiers, East Africa's hope is now only on Uganda who are in Malawi for a decisive clash against The Flames on Monday.
Uganda, the Cecafa giants and current champions, after drawing against Burkina Faso at Kitende on Wednesday, need a draw or a win in order to proceed to Cameroon for the Afcon finals.
Tanzania XI: Aishi Manula, Shomari Kapombe, Nickson Kibabage, Kennedy Juma, Erasto Nyoni, Jonas Mkude, Deus Kaseke, Hassan Dilunga, Feisal Salum, Mbwana Samatta, Simon Msuva.
Subs: Juma Kaseja, Yassin Mustapha, Israel Mwenda, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Himid Mao, Shaban Chilunda, Ayoub Lyanga, John Mkomola, Farid Mussa, Abdul Hamis, John Bocco, Laurent Alfred.
Libya XI: Mourad Al Wuhayshi, Sadam El Werfalli, Rabbie Ellafi, Salah Fakrhon, Motassem Sabbou, Salem Ablo, Mohammed Touhami, Mohammed Soula, Moataz Ali Mehdi, Rabia Al Shadi, Ibrahim Bodabous.
Subs: Muad Allafi, Redwan Tawfiq, Ahmed Al Maghasi, Mohamed Al Tahroni, Mansour Makarri, Faisal Al Badri, Shamikh Al Obaidi, Mutassim Al Mossrati, Abdullah Balaam.
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