2023 AFCON Qualifier: Osimhen brace, Iheanacho strike send Nigeria to Cote d’Ivoire

Ayomikun Elemikan Leading Stories, Sports 18/06/2023

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen scored a brace before Kelechi Iheanacho netted a late winner as Nigeria beat Sierra Leone 3-2 in the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers on Sunday.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have now qualified for the 2023 AFCON happening between 13 January and 11 February, 2024 in Cote d’Ivoire.

Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Sierra Leone 3-2 on Sunday evening to qualify for 2023 AFCON holding in Cote d’Ivoire (Image: Making Of Champions)

It took only 19 minutes into the match before the ball hit the back of the net when Osimhen lobbed the Sierra Leone goalkeeper to put the Super Eagles ahead.

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The U-17 World Cup winner extended the lead for the Nigerians two minutes past the half-hour mark with a good finish.

Sierra Leone, playing in front of their fans at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, pulled one back four minutes before halftime through Mustapha Bundu.

Adebayo Adeleye, who plies his trade with Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem, was impressive in goal for the Super Eagles.

With all the glow Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze possessed, they failed to produce tangible end products.

Victor Osimhen is presently one of the best strikers in the world and is feared among defenders. He’s a bully of a striker who is also quite difficult to mark (Image: Modo Victor Ekene)

As Nigeria continued to attack, there was no substantial result at the other end as they continued to miss when presented with opportunities. Little wonder coach Jose Peseiro rung three changes in the 71st minute.

Kevin Akpoguma replaced Bright Osayi-Samuel, however the Hoffenheim defender produced an underwhelming performance after coming on. Frank Onyeka and Iheanacho came on for Joe Aribo and Samuel Chukwueze respectively.

Osimhen also made way for Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi in the 81st minute.

Six minutes to the end of normal time, the Super Eagles defence slacked and Nigeria conceded a second. It was a great feat for the Sierra Leoneans to come from two goals down and equalise 2-2 against the three-time AFCON winners. This time, it was Augustus Kargbo’s strike that found it’s way into Adeleye’s goal.

Kenneth Omeruo and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi were the centre back pairings against Sierra Leone. Both players were vulnerable and didn’t produce a solid performance in any way (Image: Making Of Champions)

That would easily bring back memories of the 4-4 result achieved when the two countries met in 2020. The Super Eagles had lead 4-0 but their opponents scored four solid goals to end the match 4-4 – a shocking result it was.

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Just when the match looked like it was heading for a full time draw result, substitute Iheanacho’s goal won the match as Nigeria booked a place at the next AFCON holding in Cote D’Ivoire.