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The Super Eagles of Nigeria is set to clash with the Leone stars of Sierra Leone on Thursday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja in the AFCON 2023 qualifying series.
Super Eagles hasn’t beaten Sierra Leone in their last 5 encounters.
In the last qualifying series, Nigeria ,Sierra Leone played out a 4-4 draw at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City and a goaless draw in the reverse fixtures in Sierra Leone.
The three-time African champions, who are gunning for a third consecutive appearance at the continental showpiece, will hope to record their 10th win against their West African neighbours – whom they boast a better head-to-head record from their last 16 matches.
Recall that football governing body FIFA has imposed a fine of over N63 million on Nigeria and playing their first home game behind closed doors over the violence that erupted at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, after a World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana in March.
Meanwhile Super Eagles has not recorded a win in five months – their last was a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the group stages of the 2021 AFCON on January 19.
However, Peseiro’s men have shown some good signs but will likely not have it easy against the Leone Stars, who will be eager to beat the Eagles for the first time in five meetings.
They have lost three times and recorded two draws since a 1-0 win over the Eagles in 2001.
While Sierra Leone will look to pick up a third consecutive victory and get their AFCON qualifier campaign off to a flyer, next up is the challenge of taking on an opposing side who are unbeaten in each of the last five meetings between both teams.
Super Eagles coach Jose Paseiro said the Super Eagles looks good and refreshed.
Paseiro Said:“We are about to begin an important journey at AFCON with motivation and a sense of pride,”