Nigeria came from behind to beat Sierra Leone in their first 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Thursday.
Alex Iwobi cancelled Jonathan Morsey’s 11th-minute opener after five minutes before Victor Osimhen netted the winner (41′) to seal all three points for Jose Paseiro’s side.
The victory ended Nigeria’s five-match winless run which began on January 23rd when the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia defeated Augustine Eguavoen’s side in the Round of 16 of the 2021 AFCON.
After the disappointing defeat and elimination from the 2021 AFCON, Eguavoen’s team failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing the ticket to Ghana on away goal rule after two draws against the Black Stars.
Following the resignation and sack of Eguavoen and his technical crew, respectively, the Amajuj Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation appointed Paseiro.
The Portuguese gaffer led the Eagles to a back to back defeat in the friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador in his first two games in charge of the Nigerian national team.
Paserio only registered his first victory as the Eagles boss after Nigeria survived the Leone Stars’ scare to secure a 2-1 win at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
