By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone will host Nigeria in Liberia in the 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers as Leone Stars push for the showpiece in Ivory Coast next year.
According to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has approved the Paynesville-Samuel Kayon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia as the host venue for the match.
CAF had earlier rejected SLFA’s proposal to host Matchday 5 at the newly constructed Southern Arena in Bo City owing to the lack of standard 4 Star hotels in the country’s second city.
Sierra Leone, who lost the first leg in Abuja, Nigeria 2-1, will go into this crucial encounter with total determination as they sit third in Group A with 5 points.
Nigeria is leading the group with 9 points, having won three and lost one as Guinea Bissau and Sao Tome & Principe occupy second and last spots with 7 and 1 points respectively.
Sierra Leone lost the first leg by (2-1) in Abuja and sits in 3rd position in group A with five points, having recorded two draws and wins with 4 matches played.
In other development, a big blow for Leone Stars Captain STEVENS CAULKER SET TO MISS NIGERIA CLASH IN AFCON QUALIFIERS
Sierra Leone Senior National Team Captain Stevens Caulker 31, is set to be sidelined for four to six weeks after successful surgery on his knee.
The experience defensive defender sustained the injury in Wigan Athletic’s final goalless draw of the English Championship season against Rotherham United this weekend.
Sierra Leone Senior National team is set to host the Super Eagles of Nigeria on June 18th, 2023 at the Samuel Kayon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia, and the Leone Stars Skipper is doubtful to fully fit on time.
The Africa Cup of Nations matchday five qualifiers are must -a win game for John Keister’s team if they are to revive hopes of reaching Ivory Coast 2023.
As it stands it is 50-50 that the former Tottenham and Liverpool defender could Captain Leone Stars against Nigeria. Sierra Leone to revamp their hopes of reaching the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast with a comfortable 2-0 Victory over their Central Africa opponent Sao Tome and Principe, on March 26th in Morocco.
The results in group A. Leone Stars stand in third in group A behind Super Eagles on nine points and Guinea Bissau on seven first and second. Sierra Leone needs to avoid a defeat against Nigeria and go for an all-out win to get a good stand to face Bissau at home in October 2023.