The Super Eagles of Nigeria disappointingly collapsed in their group L African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City on Friday.
The Eagles had taken the lead inside the first five minutes of the match and were four goals up by 31 minutes into the game, only to concede all four goals and end the match with just a sour one point.
Everton’s Alex Iwobi scored twice as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Villareal’s Samuel Chukwueze both joined in on the party in the first half but the Super Eagles had the worst second half by a mile.
Sierra Leone didn’t show any signs of giving up and ensured to pull one goal back from Kwame Quee four minutes before half time.
And in the second half, the visitors scored three more goals – two from Alhaji Kamara and one from Mustapha Bundu – after putting the Super Eagles under serious pressure to ensure a 4-4 finish.
The result means the Nigeria side still sits atop Group L with seven points followed by Benin, Lesotho and Sierre Leone respectively.
The return leg against the Leone Stars will happen on Tuesday, November 17 at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Other AFCON Qualifying results
Morocco 4-1 Central African Republic
The Moroccans were ruthless against the Central African Republic (CAR) as the quest to solidify the top spot and secure qualification for the continent’s top competition continues.
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech starred as he grabbed two goals and assisted one for his Nation in the 4-1 mauling of CAR.
The win allows Morocco to occupy the top spot with seven points from three games played and they would be looking to consolidate when they travel to play the second leg.
South Africa 2-0 Sao Tome & Principle
South Africa managed a 2-0 win over the group’s weeping boys on Friday with two former Mamelodi Sundowns players getting on the score sheet as Ntseki’s side returned to winning ways after suffering a defeat to Zambia last month.
They have now managed 6 points from three games and are currently sitting second in Group C behind Ghana who are on 9 points.
Tunisia 1-0 Tanzania
North African side Tunisia laboured to a 1-0 victory at home to Tanzania in the AFCON qualifier on Friday and would be hoping to improve their luck in front of goal when both sides meet again for the return leg.
Tanzania remain rooted to the bottom of Group J after Youssef Msakni’s penalty carried Tunisia to a narrow 1-0 victory in Rades on Friday.
Captain of the Tunisian National side Msakni converted what would be the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 18th minute after he was fouled in the box.
The victory extends Tunisia’s 100-per cent record in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, and a win against the Taifa Stars in East Africa on Monday in the return leg would confirm qualification for the Cameroon 2022 tournament.
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