Kelechi Iheanacho struck in five minutes of added time to give Nigeria a hard-fought victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Matchday 5 qualifiers against Sierra Leone in Liberia to earn Nigeria qualification for the 2023 finals in Côte d’Ivoire to be held next January and February.
Nigeria had squandered a two-goal lead. A brace by Victor Osimhen in the 19th and 32nd minutes had given the Super Eagles a reason to hope for victory, only for the team to allow the Leone Stars close the gap as Mustapha Hames Bundu struck four minutes to the break.
In the 84th minute, Augustus Kargbo levelled for the home side in the 84th minute.
The 3-2 outcome retuned Nigeria to the top of Group A ahead of Guinea-Bissau whose lone goal victory over the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe last Wednesday had shot the central Africans ahead of the pack.
Nigeria now have 12 points as against 10 by Guinea Bissau, and both sides have joined some other teams for the Côte d’Ivoire finals.
Matchday 6 fixtures involving – Nigeria vs São Tomé and Guinea Bissau against Sierra Leone – will be dead rubber.
