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Qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations begins this evening as Nigeria host Sierra Leone.
It’s Jose Peseiro’s first competitive match in charge of the Super Eagles, as they look to respond to a disappointing tournament in Cameroon earlier this year. Nigeria crashed out of AFCON at the last-16 stage following a defeat to Tunisia.
Mexico and Ecuador have both beaten Nigeria in friendlies, and now attention turns to competitive action.
Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe are the other three teams in the group. Nigeria and Sierra Leone both have one more match after tonight’s clash, before qualifying pauses until September.
Sierra Leone failed to make it out of their AFCON group earlier this year, drawing to Ivory Coast and Algeria but losing to Equatorial Guinea. That was their first appearance at the tournament for 25 years.
Follow Nigeria vs Sierra Leone with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below…
Live updates
FT: Nigeria 2-1 Sierra Leone
Barely the most convincing display from Nigeria but three points sealed after a comeback.
Bad injury
83:00 – Watford’s Troost-Ekong is stretchered off with what looks like a hamstring injury.
Far too open
82:00 – The worst thing Nigeria could do at the moment would be to make this an open game.
We’ve seen how the away side can cause problems, yet Nigeria look to be leaving themselves light at the back.
This one just needs seeing out.
Much better from Nigeria
81:00 – Much better from Nigeria, who are coming closer to that third goal.
The final ball, however, is just missing.
OFF THE LINE!
73:00 – The away side scramble to get an overhead kick off the line!
Almost a stunning third.
CHANCE FOR SIERRA LEONE
66:00 – Bakayoko almost scores with this first touch for Sierra Leone!
He rounds the ‘keeper after a mess at the back for Nigeria but cannot quite find one more touch to direct the ball goalward.
CHANCE FOR NIGERIA
64:00 – Huge let-off for Sierra Leone.
Chukwueze has only the ‘keeper to beat after a defensive mix-up but doesn’t even hit the target!
Nigeria linking up well
62:00 – Wasn’t a huge amount to get excited about in the first-half in terms of Nigeria linking up.
Since the switch to a 4-2-3-1, Chukwueze, Simon and Aina all finding each other with ease.
CHANCE FOR NIGERIA
61:00 – The away defenders stand off Chukwueze, allowing him space to shoot.
His angled shot, however, fires just wide of the post.
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