Super Eagles hotshot, Victor Osimhen, scored a brace and Kelechi Iheanacho fired a stoppage time winner for the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire Sunday evening in Monrovia, Liberia
Nigeria thus moved back to the top of Group A with 12 points from five matches, ahead of Guinea Bissau, who have recorded 10 points.
Both Sierra Leone on five points and Sao Tome and Principe on a point have therefore been eliminated from the qualifying tournament.
In September, the Super Eagles will face Sao Tome in Uyo, while Guinea Bissau tackle Sierra Leone to determine the overall winners of this qualifying group.
Victor Osimhen opened scoring for the Super Eagles after 19 minutes, when he outran his marker in a fast counter-attacking move before he fired past the stranded Sierra Leone goalkeeper.
He doubled Nigeria’s lead with his brace on 32 minutes.
The Napoli striker has now netted 17 goals in 25 appearances for Nigeria at full international level.
However, Sierra Leone captain Mustapha Bundu halved the lead in the 41st minute, when he drove through the Nigerian defence before he hit the target.
Augustine Kargbo drew the home team level 2-2 in the 84th minute, before Iheanacho grabbed the winner in stoppage time with a simple tap-in off a through ball by Zaidu Sanusi.
It was the Leicester City striker’s 13th international goal.
Samuel Chukwueze had several chances to get on the score sheet.
In the 19th minute, just before Osimhen opener, he blasted a clear chance wide of the target.
He was then denied by the Sierra Leone goalkeeper in the 27th minute, while his effort in the 36th minute was chalked off for offside.
In the dying minutes of the first half, both Moses Simon and Wilfred Ndidi had chances to increase the Super Eagles advantage, but they were not clinical in front of goal.
In the second half, substitute Taiwo Awoniyi also came close to registering a goal.
In the closing moments, Eagles coach Jose Peseiro brought on several subs as both teams threw in everything to carry the day.