By Emmanuel Ebimoh – 9News Nigeria
It was a comedy of errors culminating into an utterly disappointing evening as the Super Eagles of Nigeria squandered a 4-1 first half lead against The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone to end the game 4 apiece in their 2021 African Nations Cup qualifying match.
The game, which was played at the Samuel Ogbebudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, ended up to be one that many Nigerians would want to forget in a hurry. Despite the huge expectations of a smooth victory to give the Super Eagles a better chance of qualifying for the biggest football competition in the continent, the Nigeria national side showed that perhaps, they were not mentally ready for the task at hand.
The goals started pouring in as early as the 4th minute of the match when Alex Iwobi made it 1-0 to the Super Eagles. Victor Osimhen added the second goal in the 21st minute and Iwobi scored a brace to make it 3-0. Samuel Chukwueze joined the party as he included a 4th for the Eagles in the 29th minute. It was almost turning into a pool party for the Nigerian side before Kwame Quee scored what many thought was going to be a consolation goal to make the score line 4-1 at half time.
No one would have predicted a comeback for the Sierra Leoneans in such circumstance. Nigeria’s coach, Gernot Rohr, showed tactical deficiency and incompetence as his team was smoldered in an unprecedented manner by a relatively inexperienced Sierra Leone side. Nevertheless, it was a brilliant performance by the Leone Stars in the second half as they fought their way into salvaging a valuable point against the lacklustre, disgraceful Super Eagles of Nigeria. Two goals from Alhaji Kamara and another from Kwame Quee secured the fantastic draw for Sierra Leone.
The draw leaves Nigeria still top of Group L with 7 points, while Sierra Leone is third with 2 points.
The return leg of the tie will take place in Sierra Leone next week, Tuesday 17th November.
