Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio has expressed delight following the Leone Stars’ epic comeback to draw level with the Super Eagles of Nigeria within the AFCON 2021 qualifying series.
Match Day 3 of the qualifiers saw the Leone Stars fight back from a four-goal deficit to draw with Nigeria 4-4 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
The Super Eagles were up 4-0 as early because the 29th minute courtesy a brace by Alex Iwobi and a goal each from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze and Nigeria looked to whitewash their visitors.
However, Kwame Quee pulled one back before the break; and it had been all about the visitors who stunned the Nigerians with three unreplied goals within the last half courtesy a brace by Al-Hadji Kamara and a sublime header by Mustapha Bundu.
The Leone Stars left the shores of Nigeria with some extent to place themselves back in contention for the AFCON tournament proper.
Reacting to the result, the surprised President Bio praised the Leone Stars for refusing to simply accept defeat.“
He said: “Brave Lion hearts, Our Leone Stars!”
“Leveling up from 4-0 to 4-4 shows we aren’t taking defeat this point . you’ve got made us proud, Leone Stars.”
Meanwhile, Complete Sports are reporting that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will depart the country and head straight during a chartered flight for Freetown, venue of the second leg.
According to the media officer of the Nigerian team Babafemi Raji, the Super Eagles had their final training session on Sunday and can leave on Monday, November 16 for Sierra Leone .
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Second leg of the fixture will hold at the Siaka Stevens Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.
A victory for the Eagles will secure qualification for the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
The three-time AFCON winners top the group on seven points after three games while Sierra Leone are third on two points.
