AFCON: Osimhen, Iheanacho help Eagles to fly, land in Cote d’ivoire
By Uzor Odigbo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after beating the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone 3-2 in Monrovia, Liberia Sunday.
Victor Osimhen scored a brace while Kelechi Iheanacho put the icing on the cake during injury time to hand Nigeria qualification to the AFCON to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire early next year. The Super Eagles now top the group A qualifiers with 11 points and will now have a formality match against Sao Tome and Principe in September.
Napoli top striker Osimhen scored the first goal of the match in the 19th minute and added the second in the 32nd minute to give the Super Eagles the much needed relief in their quest to leave Monrovia with all three points.
However, the Leone Stars were offered a fighting chance when Mustapha Bundu pulled one back in the 41st minute.
In the second half the Super Eagles dominated the game and searched for the third goal, But Sierra Leone defended well, they had some respite when Osimhen was replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi and in the 81st Minute Augustin Kragbo drew level for Sierra Leone. Energised by the Equaliser, the Leone Stars poured men forward, but Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro pulled out Moses Simon and brought Kevin Bassey in to fortify the defence.
Iheancho who replaced Joe Aribo had the final say in the 96th minute when he scored and killed every hope of win for Sierra Leone