Osimhen, Iheanacho Qualify S’Eagles for AFCON 2023

Femi Solaja

Super Eagles defeated Sierra Leone 3-2 last night to book their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The three-time African champions laboured to beat Sierra Leone at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia.

Napoli front man, Victor Osimhen scored a brace before the first half break and while Kelechi Iheanacho who came on as a late substitute got the winner after a 2-2 tie to qualify Nigeria for the AFCON to be hosted by Côte d’Ivoire next January.

In what looks like a repeat of the 4-4 scoreline three years ago in Benin City when the visiting Leone Stars came back from four goals down to tie the score 4-4 in a World Cup qualifier, Iheanacho’s late goal changed the dynamics and gave Nigeria a hard earn away win .

After Osimhen scored a first-half brace, Sierra Leone fought back through goals by Mustapha Bundu and Augustus Kargbo, with the score being tied at 2-2.

It took a 95th minute effort by Iheanacho for Nigeria to bag maximum points in Paynesville.

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.

In September, the Eagles will welcome Sao Tome, while Guinea Bissau tackle Sierra Leone to determine the overall winners of this qualifying group.

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.

He doubled Nigeria’s lead with his brace on 32 minutes after a cross by the misfiring Samuel 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.

Augustine 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.

HOW THEY STAND

Group A

Team P. W. D. L. GD. PTS

Nigeria 5. 4. 0 1. 12. 12

G’Bissau 5. 3. 1. 1. 5. 10

S’Leone. 5. 1. 2. 2. 0. 5

São Tomé 5. 0. 1. 4. -17. 1

RESULTS

Rwanda 0-2 Mozambique

Tanzania 1-0 Niger

Madagascar 0-0 Ghana