The Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast on Sunday after beating Sierra Leone 3-2 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Reelradio.com.ng is telling.
The Super Eagles went ahead in the 19th minute when Napoli striker Osimhen fired the ball over the Sierra Leonean goal.
The three-time African champion denied a chance to double his lead nine minutes later but his shot from the edge of the box went wide.
Osimhen then made it two in the 32nd minute, but that did not stop the Sierra Leonean from getting into the Nigerian goal area, especially on the right side of the defence.
Four minutes before the break, Mustapha Bundu canceled out Leone Stars’ weakness. Running on the ball, Bundu dribbled past Omeruo before slotting it clear, denying Adeleye a clean sheet on his debut. Wilfred Ndidi had the last chance of the half for the Eagles, but he fired his shot into the small box.
Sierra Leone came back strongly from half time, and pinned Nigeria back in their own half. But Simon and Osimhen continued to give the Super Eagles a threat to attack on the counter.
Sierra Leone equalized 2-2, but Nigerian goalkeeper Adeleye was quick to push the ball away. Augustus Kargbo made it 2-2 for Sierra Leone with six minutes left in the box.
The Super Eagles however claimed all three points in added time when Kelechi Iheanacho popped home the ball after a mazy run and low cross by Zaidu Sanusi.
With the win, the Super Eagles return to the top of Group A with 12 points from five games. The three-time Africa champions are through to the 2023 Afcon despite having to play their last match on home soil against Sao Tome and Principe.
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