SIERRA Leone are full of confidence as they prepare to battle Nigeria in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Abuja on Thursday.
The Leone Stars are unbeaten against the much more accomplished Super Eagles in their last two meetings, and they are looking forward to another encounter.
Sierra Leone finished second behind Nigeria in their qualifying group for the 2021 AFCON as both countries qualified for the tournament in Cameroon, and they resume their rivalry at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Thursday in the opening round of the 2023 qualifiers.
“Leone Stars had their first training, with all players present, in Abuja this evening as preparation for the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria continues,” the Sierra Leone Football Association tweeted late last night.
“With three more days to matchday, the boys continue to keep fit and highly spirited.”
Sierra Leone have shown in the past that they are not intimidated by Nigeria’s vastly superior credentials and playing personnel.
In November 2020 in Benin City, the Leone Stars pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in African football history when they fought back from 4-0 down to secure a 4-4 draw against the Super Eagles.
They proved that the draw was not a fluke as the minnows, ranked 108th in the world, 78 steps below Nigeria, held the Super Eagles to a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture in Freetown four months later.
Thursday’s fixture will be the first competitive match for new Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro after the team lost their first two friendlies to Mexico and Ecuador under his watch.
