AFCONQ Sierra Leone v Nigeria: Match preview, what to expect, key players, kickoff time

Nigeria will be trading tackles with the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in match day 5 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Sunday evening.

The Super Eagles defeated the Leone Stars 2-1 in the first leg at the Abuja National Stadium in Nigeria.

They sit in second position in Group A of the qualifiers with nine points and at least a draw tomorrow will take them back to the top of the table.

The Leone Stars on the other hand are third in the standings with five points which makes tomorrow's encounter a must-win for them. 

Match Preview

Tomorrow's encounter will be the 18th meeting between both sides with Nigeria having a better head-to-head record winning ten, drawing five and losing two.

Besides the head-to-head record, the quality in the Super Eagles' side is way better than that of the Leone Stars which makes them a heavy favorite going into the game.

Jose Peseiro's side needs a draw tomorrow to confirm their place at AFCON next year while Sierra Leone need a win to keep alive their hopes of qualifying  going to the last match day against Guinea-Bissau.

What to Expect

Given the superior quality of Nigeria, Jose Peseiro's side is expected to boss the possession while Sierra Leone will be hoping to hurt them on the counter. 

It is also going to be interesting to watch how the  Sierra Leone defence led by Steven Caulker stops the Super Eagles' attack that boasts of one of the best strikers in Europe at the moment, Victor Osimhen.

Key Players 

1. Victor Osimhen: Though he was far from his best in the last two qualifying games, he remains Super Eagles' best player and most dangerous forward.

The Leone Stars' will have their work cut out against the Serie A Striker of the Year in tomorrow's encounter as he seeks to add to his 5-goal tally in this qualification series.

2. Alex Iwobi: The Everton Players' Player of the Year is a mainstay in Nigeria's midfield and he will need to be at his best against a tough Sierra Leone side.

3. Steven Caulker: The former Tottenham Hotspur's defender experience and leadership will be needed at the back to stop a dangerous-looking Nigerian forward.

4. Augustus Kargbo: The Crotone forward has one goal to his name in this qualifiers but his speed and agility will be a threat for the Leone Stars from the left wing.

Kickoff time and venue
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The match is set to go down at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia and is scheduled to start at 1700 hours Nigerian time. 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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