Osimhen grabs brace as Super Eagles seal AFCON ticket after win against Sierra Leone

Victor Osimhen scored twice as the Super Eagles sealed a place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after the Super Eagles defeated Sierra Leone 3-2 in Monrovia.

Osimhen has scored seven goals in five games in the qualifiers.

The visitors started the game on the front foot, pinning their hosts back.

Osimhen gave Nigeria a well deserved lead in the 19th minute.

The Napoli forward lifted the ball above Sierra Leone goalkeeper Ibrahim Sesay, following a long ball from the defence by centre-back Kenneth Omeruo.

Samuel Chukwueze missed the chance to double Nigeria’s lead in the 27th minute.

The Villarreal winger shot straight at Sesay after he was put through on goal by Osimhen.

Osimhen doubled the Super Eagles lead two minutes after the hour mark.

The Super Eagles remain on the front foot and nearly scored the third in the 39th minute but Simon’s fierce shot was saved by Sesay.

Sierra Leone pulled a goal back through Mustapha Bundu three minutes before the break.

The tempo of the game dropped after the break.

The hosts came close to equalising in the 54th minute, but goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye reacted quickly to push the ball away.

Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho was denied by Sesay 12 minutes from time after he was set up by Osimhen.

Augustine Kargbo equalised for Sierra Leone in the 84th minute

Iheanacho scored the winning goal in stoppage time.