Nigeria booked their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations this weekend, following a dramatic 3-2 win over Sierra Leone at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex on Sunday night.
While star striker Victor 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 until deep into stoppage time.
It took a 95th minute effort by Kelechi Iheanacho for Nigeria to bag maximum points in Paynesville. As a result, the Super Eagles sealed their place in the upcoming tournament, while Sierra Leone missed out on Afcon qualification.
???? Kelechi Iheanacho comes up clutch in stoppage time to seal Nigeria's place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ??#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 pic.twitter.com/p7Ch87qQzb
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) June 18, 2023
As the referee blew the whistle for the first-half, Nigeria eased themselves into the tie with accurate build-up play from deep positions. In having more of the ball, the Super Eagles flexed their authority on the tie early on.
Nigeria created a number of goal-scoring opportunities during the first 15 minutes of the encounter, with Victor Osimhen proving to be a tricky customer to deal with.
The travelling side’s pressure then paid off soon before the 20th minute mark, as Osimhen got his name on the scoresheet. Played through on goal, Osimhen noticed the onrushing goalkeeper and subsequently lobbed the ball into the back of the net to give his nation the lead.
Nigeria continued to put Sierra Leone on the back foot as the half-hour mark approached and created a couple of goal scoring opportunities along the way, this time with Samuel Chukweuze coming close to doubling his side’s advantage.
Osimhen then scored his second goal of the evening in the 32nd minute, with his right-footed shot from the centre of the box beating Ibrahim Sesay between the sticks.
LATE WINNER
Despite being in a favourable position, Sierra Leone pulled one back four minutes before the break, as Mustapha Bundu got his name on the scoresheet with a left-footed finish inside the area.
The Super Eagles looked sharp after the restart and held more of the ball during the opening exchanges of the subsequent half.
However, Sierra Leone did not sit back and provided Nigeria with a couple of awkward moments when defending their quarters.
Sierra Leone continued to soak up Nigeria’s pressure and looked to catch the visitors on the break. With an hour of football played, the Super Eagles made it difficult for their opponents to make any kind of advancements up field.
In a swift move against the run of play, Sierra Leone drew level in the 84th, courtesy of a brilliant individual effort by Augustus Kargbo on the edge of the Nigeria box.
Finding himself in a bit of space just outside the penalty area, the attacker navigated his way through traffic before unleashing a right-footed shot that beat the Super Eagles goalkeeper.
Nonetheless, it was Nigeria who had the last say in the tie with Iheanacho scoring the winner in the 93rd minute.
After a darting run inside the Sierra Leone half, Zaidu Sanusi made it all the way to the byline before squaring the ball to Iheanacho, who guided the ball into the back of the net.
Sierra Leone: (1) 2 (Bundu 41’, Kargbo 84’)
Nigeria: (2) 3 (Osimhen 19’ 32’ Iheanacho 95’)
Sierra Leone: Sesay, Turay, Samura, Kargbo, Samadia, Bundu (Kamara 67’), Dumbuya, Fofanah (Caulker 66’), Williams, Barriem Koroma
Nigeria: Adeleye, Sanusi, Omeruo, Ajayi, Osayi-Samuel (Akpoguma 71’), Simon (Ughelumba 93’), Ndidi, Aribo (Anyeka 69’), Chukwueze (Iheanacho 71’), Osimhen (Awoniyi 81’), Iwobi