By Akinwale Kasali
A last gasp goal from Kelechi Iheanacho was all the Super Eagles of Nigeria needed to salvage a 3-2 victory over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.
After going two goals up in the 32nd minute of the match courtesy of strikes from Napoli Football Club of Italy forward, Victor Osimhen, Sierra Leone striker, Mustapha Bundu pulled one back in the 41st minute to reduce the deficit, with the first half ending 2-1.
On the resumption of the second half, both teams were careful not to concede any goal, with the defensive line of both performing brilliantly well to curtail their attacking forces.
Sierra Leone Midfielder, Augustus Kargbo, got the needed equalizer for his team with a superb shot outside the box that beat the defense line of the Super Eagles and its goalkeeper to send the vociferous crowd at the stadium to ecstasy.
The joy of the Sierra Leonean was, however, cut short as a superb drive from Zaidu Sanusi broke the defense of the Sierra Leonean sending a pass to Iheanacho who tapped into an open net to give the Three time African Cup of Nations champions victory and booking a spot at the continental showpiece next year.
Coach Jose Peseiro had started the game with Hapoel Jerusalem Football Club of Israel goalkeeper, Adebayo Adeleye, with the quartet of Kenneth Omeruo, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi and Bright Osayi-Samuel in the defense.
Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze were at the heart of the midfield, while Italian Serie A highest goal scorer, Victor Osimhen and Joe Aribo player upfront.
The Nigerian Coach had deployed a 4-4-2 Formation against its West African neighbours for the crucial encounter.
He brought in Iheanacho to replace Chukwueze who was a shadow of himself late on in the second half, while Frank Onyeka replaced Aribo with Kevin Akpoguma replacing Osayi-Samuel who had a knock.
Late on in added time, Simon was replaced by Ajax Football Club of Holland defender, Calvin, with Taiwo Awoniyi coming in for Osimhen who also had a knock in the cause of the game.
With this victory, Nigeria has 12 Points from Five matches ahead of Guinea Bissau who has 10 Points.
Sierra Leone has Five Points and are automatically out of the race for the AFCON 2024 tournament with just a match left.
Nigeria’s last Group match against São Tomé and Principe to be played In Nigeria is of no relevance to the outcome of the Group standings.
But the Super Eagles must avoid defeat to remain Top of the Group as a loss against São Tomé and Principe and a victory for Guinea Bissau against Sierra Leone in their last would see them end as Table Toppers ahead of Nigeria.
