David Obua scored a hat-trick to secure victory for Uganda

Uganda kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2008 African Cup of Nations on Saturday after their 3-1 victory over Niger.

A hat-trick by South Africa-based striker David Obua in Kampala helped the Cranes to finish second in Group Three with eleven points.

The victory maintained the Cranes' chance of being among the best three runners-up to qualify for the tournament in Ghana.

The home side took the lead on seven minutes lead after Obua went down in the penalty area under a challenge from Abdul Karim Oumarou.

Obua, who plays for Orlando Pirates, picked himself up and dispatched the spot-kick to hand the Cranes the lead.

But the visitors abandoned their defensive play and it paid off just before the break when Seydou Idrissa put the ball beyond the Ugandan keeper.

The South Africa-based striker restored his side's lead in the 82nd minute before scoring again with three minutes remaining to seal the victory for the home side.

Even though Uganda have this game they still need to wait for other results to be certain of a place at the 2008 African Cup of Nations.

Nigeria, who clinched the group's automatic ticket in the previous round of qualifiers, beat Lesotho 2-0 on Saturday in their final game of the group.

Stephen Ayo Makinwa and Uche Ikechukwu scored a goal as the Super Eagles sealed the victory in Warri.

The Super Eagles finish top of the group with 15 points after the win in Warri.

Nigeria found it difficult controlling the game as heavy rain left the playing surface waterlogged.

But they managed to take the lead in the 43rd minute when Makinwa took advantage of a defensive slip-up.

Ikechukwu extended the lead with a strike in the 61st minute.