The Super Eagles of Nigeria suffered a shocking setback in their African cup of Nations qualification home tie against visiting minnows Sierra Leone with the match ending 4-4 after the West African giants had gone 4-0 up early in the first half.
A well taken brace from former Arsenal star Alex Iwobi followed by goals from Napoli’s most expensive ever player Victor Osimhen and Villareal’s skillful winger Samuel Chukwueze had put the Nigerians in the ascendency and from there on out, it seemed like an inevitable rout for the visitors, little did we know how the tables would turn.
The visitors began their revival with a well taken goal in the 41st minute from Kwame Quee and at that time it felt a lot like a consolation goal from the little known Sierra Leonian side. As the second half began though, the increase in confidence for the visitors grew with every misplaced pass and as a lack of defensive assuredness from the hosts allowed the powerful Alahaji Kamara to head in the second goal for the visitors in the 72nd minute, it became clearer that the comeback might well and truly be on.
Mustapha Bundu scored the third goal for the Sierra Leonians in the 80th minute as the shellshocked heavyweight hosts could barely believe what was transpiring in front of their very eyes. The comeback was well and truly completed with four minutes to spare as another defensive mishap, this time from Alexander Iwobi, allowed the visitors to capitalise once more as the increasingly confident Alahaji Kamara was on hand to head the final equalising goal, taking the scores to 4-4.
Tried as they did to salvage a win, the Super Eagles of Nigeria could only have themselves to blame for their complacency as the centre referee blew the final whistle to end the goal laden, engaging and shocking AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Sierra Leone at 4-4.
