A late minute strike by substitute attacker Kelechi Iheanacho in a 3-2 win over Sierra Leone today provided some icing on Nigeria’s qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Eagles, brimming with stas in every department, needed a point in the Group A encounter to seal passage to the Ivorian tournament.
Napoli’s Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen settled nerves as he fired in a brace in the 19th and 32nd minutes, giving Nigeria a sense of cruise control.
Mustapha Bundu halved the deficit in the 42nd minute when he latched onto a through ball on the attacking left to shoot beyond the Nigerian goalie Adebayo Adeleye who was making his debut for the senior national team.
Early in the second half, coach John Kester made a raft of changes to inject stability at the back and pep in attack.
Former Tottenham Hotspur’s defender Steven Caulker came on for Saidu Fofana a midfielder while striker Musa Kamara replaced goalscorer Bundu.
The moves jolted the Leone Stars into action as play swung into their favour.
Sensing danger of losing the lead, Nigeria coach Jose Paseiro responded with multiple like for like changes.
Germany based Kevin Akpoguma came on for Bright Osayi Samuel in the right back position, Kelechi Iheanacho replaced Samuel Chukwueze on the attacking right side while Brentford’s all action midfielder Frank Onyeka took Joe Aribo’s place in the middle.
Despite the changes the Eagles defence caved in the 84th minute when Augustine Kargbo drove across the edge of the area, following a halfhearted rebounded clearance by Iwobi, to fire low and hard into the diving right hand of Adeleye for the leveler.
Following the equaliser, the Sierra Leonians sensed victory and created anxious moments for Nigeria’s backline.
To calm frayed nerves FC Porto’s left back Zaidu Sanusi took matters into his hands – knifing thru the back four of the Leone Stars to square the ball unto a plate for Iheanacho to simply tap into a yawning net.
Requiring only a point to advance to next year’s championship, Iheanacho’s winning goal shot Nigeria back to top of the standing on 12points, 2 ahead of 2nd placed Guinea Bissau.
Next up for Nigeria is the final group clash at home to Sao Tome and Principe on 4 September 2023.
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