Nigeria’s Super Eagles, on Sunday, June 18, defeated Leone Stars of Sierra Leone 3-2 to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Super Eagles, with the victory at Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia, reclaimed leadership of Group A of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
Super Eagles needed just one point to book their passage to Cote D’Ivoire but were made to work their socks off to achieve their win.
The team gave the game the seriousness it deserved seriousness scoring two goals through star player Victor Osimhen in the 19th and 32nd minutes of the game.
However, a well-organised Sierra Leone side would just not bow out that easy and nearly denied the Super Eagles a win and three points.
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The Leone Stars as they are fondly called pulled a goal back in the 41st minute through Mustapha Bundu and fought hard in every department of the game to get something out of the match.
At the turn of the second half, Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peserio, made some changes and brought on Fran Onyeka, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi.
However, the Leone Stars would not be perturbed about Nigeria’s star-studded squad and continued to fight hard and did not allow Super Eagles to enjoy their free-flowing football.
They were soon rewarded when they levelled the scoreline through their star player Augustus Kargbo in the 84th minute following some brilliant display by their attackers.
With that development, both teams suddenly woke up and tried to outplay each other as a win for either side would seal qualification.
But it was a quick move by the Super Eagles through the left, a square pass by substitute Onyeka that beat the opposition defence.
Substitute Iheanacho rounded up the play with an easy tap-in that eventually sealed the game in the 4th minute of the second half extra time.
The victory earned Nigeria 12 points atop of the Group ahead of Guinnea Bissau and Sao Tome Principe.
The 34th edition of AFCON 2023 will hold from January 13, 2024, to February 11, 2024, in six cities in Cote D’Ivoire.
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