The Super Eagles of Nigeria have successfully secured their qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) by defeating the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone with a thrilling 3-2 victory on Sunday.
Victor Osimhen displayed his brilliance by scoring two goals, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s triumph and eventual qualification for AFCON 2023. The talented striker from Napoli showcased his skills and versatility, leaving spectators in awe. Osimhen’s opening goal was a perfectly executed lob over the 18-year-old goalkeeper, Ibrahim Sesay. Later, amidst a goalmouth scramble, he managed to find the net once again.
Although Sierra Leone managed to pull one goal back before half-time, courtesy of Mustapha Bundu, it was Augustus Kargbo who leveled the score with only six minutes of regular time remaining.
In a dramatic turn of events, Kelechi Iheanacho, the Leicester City player whose team faced relegation from the Premier League last month, sealed Nigeria’s victory with a goal in the fifth minute of added time. Iheanacho deftly pushed a low cross from Zaidu Sanusi over the goal line, igniting jubilation among the Super Eagles fans.
It’s worth noting that the encounter between Nigeria and Sierra Leone has often produced enthralling moments, and this match was no exception. In a previous Cup of Nations qualifier in 2021, the visiting Leone Stars remarkably erased a four-goal deficit within 29 minutes, resulting in a thrilling 4-4 draw.
As a result of their impressive performance, Nigeria, along with Guinea-Bissau, who secured qualification from Group A, will be among the contenders in the prestigious AFCON 2023 tournament, aiming to claim the coveted title for the fourth time.
AFCON 2023: Peseiro Reveals Why He Substituted Osimhen, Aribo
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has provided an explanation for the substitutions of Victor Osimhen and Joe Aribo during the national team’s AFCON 2023 qualifying match against Sierra Leone on Sunday evening.
Peseiro surprised many by granting Aribo a starting position, considering the limited playing time he had in the second half of the previous season after falling out of favor at Southampton. However, the Portuguese football tactician made the decision to substitute Aribo in the seventy-first minute, citing an injury as the reason. Osimhen, too, was withdrawn from the game in the eighty-first minute due to discomfort in his leg.
During the post-match press conference, Peseiro elaborated on the changes, stating, “I try to improve the team. Of course, Aribo it was due to injury and asked to go out. Osimhen also felt something in the leg,” Peseiro told reporters.
“The others I tried to give more power, energy and quality to fight till the end because Sierra Leone in that moment didn’t create many opportunities but (later) they attacked and pressurized us and they did very well”.
With his impressive brace against Sierra Leone, Osimhen has now emerged as the leading scorer in AFCON 2023 qualifiers, tallying seven goals. This places him two goals ahead of Senegal’s Sadio Mane.