AFCON 2024: Nigeria Overcome Late Drama, Beat Sierra Leone to Qualify

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Sunday, overcame a late resurgence to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 to qualify for AFCON 2024 in Ivory Coast. The victory ultimately secured the three-time African champions a place at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations with one game to spare.

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen picked up from where he left off in Naples, striking in the 19^th and 32nd minutes to put the visitors in a comfortable lead as Nigeria controlled the game and dictated the pace. However, Mustapha Bundu pulled one back in the 41^st minute to give the hosts a lifeline.

The comeback was completed when Augustus Kargbo found the bottom left corner with a powerful strike that left goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye in no man’s land, sending the Sierra Leonean fans into wild jubilations.

AFCON 2024: Hungry Eagles Snatch Win Late On

In a rather interesting twist of events, Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho restored Nigeria’s lead at the death to confirm Nigeria’s place in Ivory Coast, with one game to spare.

The Super Eagles have now amassed 12 points from a possible 15, followed by Guinea-Bissau who also beat Sao Tome and Principe.

Sierra Leone vs Nigeria: Nigeria Double Extinguish Leone Stars

Sierra Leone’s qualifying campaign for AFCON 2024 began poorly, but they managed to turn their fortunes around and put themselves in contention for a place in Ivory Coast later this year. Keister’s side experienced a setback in their Group A curtain-raiser in June 2022, suffering a 2-1 defeat against Nigeria. Goals from Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen overturned Jonathan Morsay’s early strike, altering the course of the game.

However, Sierra Leone displayed resilience just four days later when they fought back from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw against 10-man Guinea Bissau on home soil. Their determination was evident again on March 22 when they twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Sao Tome and Principe. In the subsequent double-header at the Adrar Stadium, they managed a 2-0 victory over Adriano Eusebio’s men. Abu Bakarr Samura opened the scoring within the opening seven minutes, and Alhassan Koroma, the forward from Linense, doubled the lead with a 28th-minute strike.

Nigeria Put Bitter Past Behind

Following their initial success, Jose Peseiro’s team faced a series of defeats, losing to Algeria, Costa Rica, and Portugal in three consecutive friendly matches. Their disappointment continued in March when they suffered a disheartening 1-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in their return to the AFCON 2024 qualifiers. However, they regained their winning form with a 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in the second match of their group double-header, thanks to a first-half penalty from Moses Simon.

Jerrymusa.com reports that Nigeria will now face minnows Sao Tome in a game that would not change much for the Eagles, but could determine if Nigeria would finish as group winners. Coach Jose Paseiro’s future as coach of the west African giants has been a subject of discussion in the media, after speculations made the rounds that the Nigeria Football Federation might not keep faith with the Portuguese gaffer going into the AFCON 2024. It however remains to be seen how the Eagles who desperately need a 4^th continental title would shape up ahead of the championship.