2022 Afcon Qualifiers: Sierra Leone upsets Nigeria in a 4 – 4 draw in Benin City

Freetown | 13th November 2020 | Vertex Media

By Ibrahim Sorious Samura

African giant Nigeria failed to defeat Sierra Leone on Friday 13th November 2020, after a 4 – 0 lead in the first 43 minutes of play in first leg of the double header 2022 AFCON Qualifiers hosted at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Nigeria.

Alex Iwobi’s brace and strikes from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukueze gave the host – Nigeria’s Super Eagles an early 4 nil lead in the first 29 minutes in Benin City. It was debilitating for the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, and many wrote them off the fixture, until courageous strikes from Kwame Queue, Mustapha Bundu and a brace from Alhaji Kamara provided what many believe as the biggest comeback in African football.

No one could believe this will happen, only fate has it. From 4-0 down in 43 minutes to a 4-4 level at full time, was as dramatic and fascinating for the visitors.

Leone Stars Coach John Keister’s second half changes transformed the team’s performance from a sluggish and staggering first half, to a rebellious second half which eventually ensured that the points were shared.

However, Sierra Leone remain in an unsafe position in Group L, securing only 2 points in 3 matches. While Nigeria continue to lead with 7 points in 3 matches, followed by Benin with 3 points in 2 matches, and Lesotho at the bottom of the table with 1 point in 2 matches. Sierra Leone will increase their chances to qualify for the 2022 Cameroon AFCON Finals if they win against Nigeria on the 17th November 2020 at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown, Sierra Leone, before later fixtures against Lesotho away and Benin at home.

Leone Stars Coach John Keister and SLFA President Isha Johansen after the match

Prior to today’s encounter with Nigeria, the Sierra Leone Football Association has recently engaged the National team, especially the Homebased team, in series of international and local friendly matches as part of their preparation against Nigeria. These early preparations gave the team this impressive away result.

The team will return on a chartered flight to Freetown on Saturday 14th November ahead of the return leg clash with the Super Eagles on Tuesday 17th November 2020. He Sierra Leone delegation was fully powered by the SLFA President Madam Isha Johansen, the Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, SLFA Vice President 1 Brima Manzola Kamara and others.