The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their qualification to the 2024 African Cup of Nations, following a 3-2 win over Sierra Leone on Sunday evening.
The three-time African champions will now be featuring at the 34th edition of the biennial competition to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire next January.
A last-minute goal from Kelechi Iheanacho gave the Eagles victory in the tensed but interesting encounter, which saw the visitors initially surrender a two-goal lead.
Nigeria quickly got into commanding position in 20 minutes as Victor Osimhen pounced on a looping header from Kenneth Omeruo and tipped it beautifully above the onrushing Sierra Leone goalkeeper Ibrahim Sesay.
In the 32nd minute, Joe Aribo found Osimhen in the box with a perfectly weighted ball over the Sierra Leonean defence. With the keeper at his mercy, Osimhen calmly tucked in to double Nigeria’s lead and get his second goal of the game.
The Leone Stars then pulled one back just before the half-time break as their consistent pressure finally paid off when Mustapha Bundu latched onto a long pass and smashed in a powerful strike into the top corner from 15 yards out.
Sierra Leone got their equaliser with another brilliant goal on 84 minutes – this time through Augusto Kargbo, who smashed into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards out, beating Nigeria goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye who yet went full stretch.
Then in the final minute of stoppage time, defender Zaidu Sanusi took the initiative as he easily sped past Sierra Leone’s backline before sending a low cross to Iheanacho who tapped into an empty net for the dramatic late winner.
With the victory, Nigeria reclaims top spot in Group A with 12 points, followed by Guinea-Bissau who have also qualified on 10 points.
The Super Eagles will play Sao Tome and Principe in the inconsequential final group game of the qualifiers in September.
