Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja, defeated the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone 2-1 in their first qualifier match for Afcon 2023 to be staged in the Ivory Coast.
The visitor started on a high as they draw first blood through Jonathan Morsay in the 11th minute to the surprise of the Eagles, who were looking for their first win in as much as 5 games.
The Eagles draw level through Alex Iwobi in the 16th minute as he calmly slotted home inside the box after receiving a pass from Moses Simon.
With the first half heading for stalemate, Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, lashed onto a Moses Simon headed ball in the 41st minute after a fine work from Ola Aina down the right flank to put the Eagles 2-1 up.
The win however is not enough for Nigeria to top the group, as Guinea-Bissau trashed Sao Tome and Principe 5-1 in the other group A match.
New Eagles gaffer, Jose Peseiro, will have to worry about his captain, Troost Ekong who was forced off in the 81st minute with possible groin injury.
The Eagles will head off to Agadir, Morocco for their Day 2 encounter against the ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ of São Tomé and Príncipe on Monday evening.
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