The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have hailed the Super Eagles of Nigeria as the team sealed qualification for AFCON 2023 with a win over Sierra Leone.
The Nigerian team defeated Sierra Leone 3-2 in a hard fought victory on Sunday, June 18 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
Victor Osimhen scored the first goal of the match for Nigeria in the 19th minute from a Kenneth Omeruo assist.
Osimhen completed his brace in the 32nd minute this time around after from a Joe Aribo assist.
Sierra Leone’s Mohammed Bundu halved the deficit for his team nine minutes later.
Kelechi Iheanacho was brought in for Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze and German-Nigerian defender Kevin Akpoguma was subbed in for Bright-Osayi Samuel in the second half.
Augustus Kargbo equalised for the Leone Stars in the 84th minute.
However Iheanacho scored a dramatic last gasp winner in the 95th minute after being teed up by Zaidu Sanusi.
CAF took to their Twitter handle to congratulate the Nigerian team for qualifying for the next Afcon tournament.
“The Super Eagles have arrived Nigeria seal qualification for their 20th #TotalEnergiesAFCON appearance,” the Tweet reads.
The Super Eagles are first position in Group A with 12 points from five matches while Sierra Leone are third with five points from the same number of games.
Guinea-Bissau are second with 10 points from five games and Sao Tome and Principe are in last position place with a point from five matches.
Nigeria will face Sao Tome and Principe in their next match on September 4 at the Abuja National Stadium.
