By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Nigeria sealed an AFCON 2023 ticket after substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored in the last, minutes of injury time to secure a win in a dramatic 2-3 thriller that went in favor of the Super Eagles.
Napoli’s goal-scoring machine Victor Osimhen opened scoring in the 19th and another in the 32nd minute before Bundu’s goal in the 41st minute for Sierra Leone reduced the lead to put pressure on Peseiro’s men.
A second goal from Sierra Leone’s Augustus Kargbo gave some inspiration to the Leone stars who were hopeful of making a return to the continental showpiece as they levelled up and hoped that some luck could give them a win against the three-time champions.
Sierra Leone Senior National team Leone Stars defenders lack the composure to tame one of the foremost fearful strikers in Europe in the person of Victor Osimhen punished by the back four of John Keister the inexperience will cost the Chances of Leone Stars winning against Nigeria.
Sierra Leone’s hopes of making it to back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations appearances were dashed by the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
John Edward Keister the head Coach of the Sierra Leone National team said: “The defeat is hard to take considering the way the match is to Leone Stars playing for and an out a win or at least salvage a draw, but two mistakes from the center back and the Goalkeeper dent Leone Stars totally in the crunch AFCON qualifiers.”
He that now it’s time now time to regroup again and fight back in the next qualifiers, the player’s fight in the match and the experience and match management at the tail end of the match again cost Sierra Leone to lose all three points.
Jose Peseiro the head Coach of Nigeria said the match was a difficult match for his side considering the way the Sierra Leone team is much more physical and tactics going forward.
Leone Stars have lost the Campaign because the Country is denied the home advantage of hosting their match at home because of a lack of infrastructure back home, Had the match been played back home in Freetown or another place in Sierra Leone it would have been a different match.
Sierra Leone is out of the race to Ivory Coast 2023 and the last match for Leone Stars against Guinea Bissau in September is a mere academic. The encounter will be a unique opportunity to start the preparations for the World Cup Qualifiers that will get on underway in November this year.
The next Africa Cup of Nations is to be hosted by Ivory Coast.
