2023 AFCONQ: Three Nigerian players with a point to prove against Sierra Leone

The Super Eagles are set to face Sierra Leone later today in the penultimate match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

While they head to the game as the heavy favorite, their recent form doesn't fill one with much confidence.

Results have not been forthcoming with just one win in the last 5 games and performances have been nothing to write home about 

While all players are expected to play at their best considering recent performances and results, below are three players with the most point to prove 

1. Adebayo Adeleye: The Hapoel Jerusalem goalkeeper has been recalled to the team after he missed the two games against Guinea-Bissau.

He is expected to be in goal in what should be his first start for the Super Eagles.

While Francis Uzoho is the Super Eagles' first-choice goalie at the moment, he has proven to be unreliable and error-prone which should serve as a motivating factor for Adeleye going into the game.

If he gets to have a good game against the Leone Stars, it will put him back in contention for the first-choice goalkeeper position.

2.  Samuel Chukwueze: The right winger was in superb form for Villarreal in the just-concluded season but has failed to replicate that form with the Super Eagles.

It has been more than a year since he last scored or assisted a goal for Nigeria 

He struggled to make an impact against  Guinea-Bissau and some fans have called for his omission from the starting XI.

Chukwueze must prove doubters wrong in today's encounter by making the right decisions in the final third and assisting defensively

3. Moses Simon:  The 27-year-old has also been inconsistent in recent games for the Super Eagles 

Despite thrilling the fans with his mesmerizing  skills in the last Africa Cup of Nations, his decision-making in the final third has been inconsistent 

He struggled with his club side Nantes in the last campaign but he has to put that aside and bring his best to the table against the Leone Stars.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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