Kelechi Ihenacho Grabs Late Winner As Super Eagles Beat Sierra Leone to Qualify for AFCON (Video)

Posted by Thandiubani on Mon 19th Jun, 2023 - tori.ng

A brace from Victor Osimhen and a late winner from Kelechi Iheanacho were enough to secure the victory for the visitors.

Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after beating the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone 3-2.

Victor Osimhen scored twice before a late winner from Kelechi Iheanacho sealed victory for Nigeria.

Nigeria needed a draw in Liberia — the temporary home of Sierra Leone as they do not have an international-standard stadium — to clinch qualification on matchday five.

The Super Eagles made a strong start, building a two-goal lead within 32 minutes thanks to Napoli star Osimhen.

Top scorer in the last Serie A season, the 24-year-old has been linked with Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

His first goal came from a perfectly weighted lob over 18-year-old goalkeeper Ibrahim Sesay and he later pushed the ball into the net in a goalmouth scramble.

Sierra Leone pulled one goal back before half-time thanks to Mustapha Bundu and levelled through Augustus Kargbo with six minutes of regular time remaining.

Iheanacho, whose Leicester City team were relegated from the Premier League last month, struck five minutes into added time by pushing a low Zaidu Sanusi cross over the goal line.

Nigeria and Sierra Leone often produce drama when they meet with the visiting Leone Stars wiping out a four-goal deficit after 29 minutes to draw 4-4 in a 2021 Cup of Nations qualifier.

The result meant Guinea-Bissau, who beat Sao Tome e Principe in midweek, qualified from Group A with three-time champions Nigeria.