Osimhen, Iheanacho Score As Nigeria Secures Qualification For 2023 AFCON
LAGOS JUNE 19TH (NEWSRANGERS)-In a gripping match held at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia, Victor Osimhen displayed his scoring prowess, leading the Super Eagles to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone. With this win, Nigeria secured their place in the highly anticipated 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, comfortably qualifying with a game to spare.
The opening half witnessed Osimhen’s brilliance as he notched two crucial goals for Nigeria. The Napoli striker showcased his predatory instincts by expertly placing his finish over the goalkeeper, capitalizing on an Omeruo-headed clearance to break the deadlock. This marked Osimhen’s first goal for the Super Eagles since June 2022 when he impressively netted four goals against Sao Tome and Principe. The 24-year-old continued to make an impact, orchestrating a well-timed pass to Chukwueze, who unfortunately saw his shot denied by an outstanding save from Sierra Leone’s goalkeeper.
Undeterred, Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 32nd minute, displaying his clinical finishing skills once again. With his two goals in the match, Osimhen emerged as the top scorer in the AFCON qualification, surpassing the likes of Senegal’s Sadio Mane. Furthermore, his international goal tally now stands at an impressive 17, placing him alongside Samson Siasia in joint-sixth position on Nigeria’s all-time scoring chart, overtaking the previous record holders Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa.
The second half witnessed a spirited comeback from Sierra Leone, as Mustapha Bundu found the back of the net, reducing the deficit and injecting renewed energy into their play. Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Adebayo Adeleye, making his Super Eagles debut, was called into action numerous times, displaying great reflexes to deny Sierra Leone from finding an equalizer. However, their persistence paid off as Bundu unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, leaving Adeleye with little chance to stop the ball.
With tensions running high, the game seemed destined for a draw. Yet, in a dramatic turn of events, Kelechi lheanacho, who came off the bench, emerged as the hero for Nigeria. The Leicester City forward found the back of the net with the final kick of the encounter, capitalizing on a Zaidu Sanusi cross to secure a late, dramatic victory for the Super Eagles.
The triumph propelled Nigeria back to the top of Group A with an impressive tally of 12 points from five games. With their qualification assured, the three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions can now focus on their final group stage match against Sao Tome and Principe, which will be played on home soil. The Super Eagles have showcased their resilience and attacking prowess throughout the qualifying campaign, instilling confidence in their ability to make a strong impact in the upcoming tournament
OJB Sports
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Posted by News Rangers
on Jun 19 2023. Filed under National, Sports.
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