Sierra Leone took the lead in the 11th minute through John Morsay but goals from Iwobi and Osimhen won the encounter for Nigeria
By Mosope Michaels
Super Eagles opened their 2023 AFCON qualifiers with a narrow 2-1 win over Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
The match is Jose Peseiro’s first competitive match in charge of the Super Eagles, as they look to respond to a disappointing AFCON campaign and elimination from participating in the 2022 World Cup by Ghana.
Mexico and Ecuador have both beaten Nigeria in international friendlies, and now attention turns to competitive action again their fellow West African.
But It was the visitors who took the lead in the 11th minute, when a brilliant work down the right saw John Morsay head in the ball to make it 1-0 to Sierra Leone.
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Alex Iwobi equalised for Nigeria five minutes later with a beautiful finish into the far-right corner after an assist from Moses Simon.
The Nigerian goal came just seconds after Sierra Leone had hit the post themselves.
Nigeria then took the lead in the 40th minute when a brilliant cross from Aina was headed down by Simon, with Victor Osimhen lashing on to it and blasting home to make it 2-1 before half time.
The second half resumed with both teams trying to find another goal but neither of the sides could find the net as the Super Eagles held on to their slender lead.
Nigeria with the win will now shift focus to their next game on Monday, June 13 game against Sao Tome, who lost their first match away to Guinea-Bissau.
