SAN FRANCISCO, November 17, (THEWILL) – In Freetown, just as it was in the other Group L fixture between Lesotho and Benin Republic, the return leg qualifier for the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) between Sierra Leone and Nigeria finished as a goalless stalemate.
The match had nothing of the exciting goal-fest of last weekend’s thrilling 4-4 first-leg in Benin City, but the much-subdued game on Tuesday evening had a similar implication: both sides earn a point for their inability to break the deadlock.
The visitors, who were under immense pressure from their fans in Nigeria and the management of the Football Federation, the NFF, to redeem their image from the embarrassing Friday draw, started with obvious spark.
Kelechi Iheanacho exhibited the resolve of the squad for results. There were only eight minutes on the clock when the forward was asking questions of the host’s defensive players. But his effort was saved by the Leone Stars goalie Mohamed Kamara.
Then, at the quarter-hour mark, Samuel Chukwueze let fly from range only to see his ball kiss the upright and go wide.
But, Sierra Leone did not allow the Nigerians to create all the chances alone. In the 21st minute, striker Kei Kamara took on Nigerian keeper Maduka Okoye, but Okoye was up to the challenge.
And just before the break, Alhaji Kamara could have put the hosts in front, but Okoye was up to the task as well and came to Nigeria’s rescue so both sides went into the break goalless.
Chukwueze combined smartly with Iheanacho six minutes after the restart to produce a shot at goal but it went over. Then, at the hour mark Iheanacho finally had the ball in the net. But, it was ruled out for offside.
Iheanacho, who was the linchpin for everything creative for the Super Eagles going forward, was at it again eight minutes from time. Once again, Kamara stood in his way to keep the game level. And that was how it ended after a few minutes of extra time.
THEWILL believes it was not the end either side would have wanted as an outright win had benefits that both teams were desperate to claim for themselves but as neither could find the crucial goal to claim the full three points, the result stayed 0-0.
THEWILL contends that Nigeria still has technical questions to answer as it appears the quality of the talents it boasts of are not delivering the expected goods for the country. Gernot Rohr will have many Nigerians on his case even more so now than before especially for a result like this.
All said, Nigeria raised their tally to eight points, one more than second-placed Benin with two matches remaining in the group. Sierra Leone are now on three points and are third while Lesotho is rock bottom with two points.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
