AFCON: Sierra Leone ‘will be difficult’, Peseiro warns Super Eagles

The Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has cautioned his players about Sierra Leone’s determination to secure qualification as they prepare to face off in a crucial 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Sunday.

Nigeria presently sits in second spot in Group A behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, having garnered nine points from four matches, while Sierra Leone sits in third position with five points.

“It will be difficult game (vs Sierra Leone Sunday in Liberia),” Peseiro said.

“In the last three matches against Sierra Leone, we drew two and only won the last meeting last year in Abuja.

“Sierra Leone are a good team and they only beat us to stand a chance of qualifying for the AFCON.

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“We, therefore, have to be at our best organisation and commitment and play a collective game against them.”

During the November 2020 encounter in Benin City, the Eagles experienced a remarkable comeback by Sierra Leone, resulting in a 4-4 draw.

The subsequent match between the two teams in Freetown ended in a scoreless draw. However, Jose Peseiro claimed his inaugural victory as the Eagles’ coach when they triumphed over the Leone Stars with a 2-1 win in Abuja last June.

Vice-captain William Troost-Ekoong emphasized the magnitude of the forthcoming clash in Monrovia, Liberia, labeling it as a cup final. He has urged the Eagles to rise to the occasion and elevate their performance for the crucial match on Sunday.

“This is a cup final, which we must first win,” he declared.

“We’re now a much more matured team and must step up to the occasion.”