By Muheeb Mashood
The Nigerian Super-Eagles have stunned the Leone Stars on Sunday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe stadium, Monrovia, Liberia in the African Cup of Nations’ qualification, thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho late goal that handed a 3-2 victory to the three times African Champions in the game of the two halves.
A brace from Napoli’s hitman, Victor Osimhen gave Jose Peseiro’s men a comfortable 2-0 lead before a 42nd minute goal from Mustapha Bundu ignited the Leone Stars after the Eagles took their feet off the gas.
Augustus Kargbo pile-driver leveled the showdown to 2-2 in the 84th minute. Meanwhile, recall that Sierra Leone staged a 4-4 dramatic comeback against the Super-Eagle in 2020 AFCON qualification’s group stage coming behind to equalize the four goals in the second half.
A stoppage-time tap-in from a sub-in Kelechi Iheanacho booked space for Peseiro’s side in the 2024 AFCON billed by Côte D’Ivoire, disallowing the Leone Stars from mustering another honeymoon’s feeling on the Nigerians.
The in-form 24 years old Nigerian poacher Victor Osimhen has now scored 17th goals in 37th matches for Nigeria surpassing Ahmed Musa’s 16th goals as Super Eagles qualified for their 20th AFCON.
Meanwhile, Osimhen eyes for African Best Player in an interview with the journalist in Lagos prior before the match.
“I think with the kind of season I had and everything that I have put in – the work I have done individually, collectively for my club (and) myself, I think I deserve to be top in world football (and) in terms of even African footballer of the year,” he said.
He further remains humble as he pays tribute to other players, wishing to accept faith and keep working hard until the lunch turns to his table, if another player wins the award.
“Like i said, a lot of Africans have done so well for themselves and respective clubs also. But if God wills it, I am going to win it. If not, I will keep on working hard till I win it,” he added.