Victor Osimhen scored a brace and Kelechi Iheanacho fired a stoppage time winner for the Super Eagles to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 to qualify for the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire today in Monrovia, Liberia
Nigeria thus moved back to the top of Group A with 12 points from five matches, ahead of Guinea Bissau, who have recorded 10 points.
Both Sierra Leone on five points and Sao Tome and Principe on a point have therefore been eliminated from the qualifying tournament.
On September 4, the Eagles will welcome Sao Tome, while Guinea Bissau tackle Sierra Leone to determine the overall winners of this qualifying group.
Victor Osimhen opened scoring for the Super Eagles after 19 minutes, when he outran his marker in a fast counter-attacking move before he fired past the stranded Sierra Leone goalkeeper Ibrahim Sesay.
He doubled Nigeria’s lead with his brace on 32 minutes after a cross by the lively Chukwueze evaded the Leone Stars defence.
The Napoli striker has now netted 17 goals in 25 appearances for Nigeria at full international level to make him the country’s most prolific active player.
However, Sierra Leone captain Mustapha Bundu halved the lead in the 41st minute, when he drove through the Nigerian defence before he hit the target.
Augustus Kargbo drew the home team level 2-2 in the 84th minute with a long-range shot, before Iheanacho grabbed the winner in stoppage time with a simple tap-in off a through ball by Zaidu Sanusi.
It was the Leicester City striker’s 13th international goal.
Samuel Chukwueze had several chances to get on the score sheet.
In the 19th minute, just before Osimhen opener, he blasted a clear chance wide of the target.
He was then denied by the Sierra Leone goalkeeper in the 27th minute, while his effort in the 36th minute was chalked off for offside.
In the dying minutes of the first half, both Moses Simon and Wilfred Ndidi had chances to increase the Super Eagles advantage, but they were not clinical in front of goal.
In the second half, substitute Taiwo Awoniyi also came close to registering a goal as Adebayo pulled off a couple of saves to keep out the home team.
In the closing moments, Eagles coach Jose Peseiro brought on several subs as both teams threw in everything to carry the day.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Sierra Leone
Adebayo – Zaidu, Osayi-Samuel (Akpoguma 70), Omeruo (Captain), Ajayi – Ndidi, Aribo (Onyeka 70), Iwobi – Chukwueze (Iheanacho 70), Osimhen (Awoniyi), Moses Simon (Calvin Bassey 90)
