A shadow Nigeria side were held to a goalless draw by the Sierra Leone Nationa team in an uninspiring Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifers at teh Siaka Stevens stadium in Freetown.
With Gernort Rohr’s side playing a 4-4 draw in the first leg in Benin City, the German tactitian brought in Fulham’s defender Ola Aina to replace Zaidu Sanusi at the left back position. Kelechi Iheanacho also started ahead of the injured Victor Osimhen.
The Super Eagles struggled to assert their authority in the game, with some of the best chances of the first half going to the Sierra Leoneans.
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduaka Okoye was called to duty when the West African’s threatened the Nigerian defense as Mohammed Buya’s shot from down the left flank was well handled by the Spartern Rotherdam shot-stopper.
Chances seemed hard to come by for both sides after the break as the Sierra Leoneans physical nature and hard graft seemed to styful the Nigerians.
In the 51st minute though, the Super Eagles began to gain a bit of momentum as Samuel Chukwueze’s dribbleed down the left flank and laid a pass to Iheanacho who sent his shot over the bar.
Moments later, the Super Eagles thought they had broken the deadlock when Iheanacho’s header found the back of the net, but the Leicester City forward was adjudged to have been offside.
As the game wore on, Rohr began to play things safe, as he brought on Semi Ajayi for Joe Aribo, and from then on, it seemed he was contented with the draw.
Despite the few chances created by both sides, there was an inevitability about the result. When the referee blew the final whistle at 90 minutes – plus three minutes added time – there were some looks of bemusement from both sets of players, but no complaints.
Nigeria still top Group L with eight points after Benin and Lesotho had played a goalles draw in the groups other game.
