Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has warned that Sierra Leone will come out fighting against his team as it will be the major lifeline to qualify for the 2023 AFCON.
Nigeria are second in Group A with nine points from four matches, while Sierra Leone are third on five points.
“It will be difficult game (vs Sierra Leone Sunday in Liberia),” admitted Peseiro.
“In the last three matches against Sierra Leone, we drew two and only won the last meeting last year in Abuja.
“Sierra Leone are a good team and they only beat us to stand a chance of qualifying for the AFCON.
“We therefore have to be at our best organisation and commitment and play a collective game against them.”
In November 2020, the Eagles were pegged back 4-4 by a remarkable Sierra Leonean comeback in Benin City, before both teams played out a scoreless draw in the reverse tie in Freetown.
Peseiro won his first game with the Eagles when they beat the Leone Stars 2-1 in Abuja last June.
Italy-based defender William Ekong further described Sunday’s clash in Monrovia, Liberia, as a cup final and the Eagles must step up to the occasion.
“This is a cup final, which we must first win,” he declared.
“We’re now a much more matured team and must step up to the occasion.”
