Sierra Leone vs Nigeria: 5 things we learnt from AFCON qualifying second-leg showdown
- Sierra Leone vs Nigeria ended in a draw for both teams in Freetown
- The Super Eagles and Leone Stars were inseparable after 90 minutes of football
- Nigeria will need to go back to the drawing board as they performed below par again
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It was yet another night of disappointment as Gernot Rohr's men fail to fly at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown as hosts Sierra Leone were unlucky to win the game after it ended 0-0.
However after another 90 minutes of play, none of these two sides could claim three points - and here are five things we learnt during the second leg of the fixture.
1. Bad pitch
The Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown was an eyesore to African football as it looked like a local secondary school playing ground.
Both teams were unable to express themselves as the grass could not get hold of the ball to allow free-flow of play. It resulted in a bad 90 minutes for both teams.
2. Gernot Rorh tactically losing grip on the Super Eagles
The Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr looked tensed all through the 90 minutes as pressure continues to mount to see him fired from his position as the Nigeria national team handler.
The Franco-German could barely sit during the game as he watched haplessly from the sidelines as his team looks not tactically convincing. There are calls for him to be sacked.
Source: Getty Images
3. Ahmed Musa needs a club
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was not at his very best during this international-break having left Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr in October.
He has now played 95 matches in the national colours but it is evident that his lack of club action has affected his form.
4. Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze are Nigeria’s best for now
Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze replicated their form during the first leg in Benin, in Freetown, as they mesmerized the Sierra Leonean defence. Both players were visibly Nigeria’s best players on the night as they showed class and confidence despite not getting a goal.
5. No minnows in African football
Gone are the days when football is predictable in African football. If the Nigeria vs Sierra Leone double-header was decided by the ‘away goals rule’, the Leone Stars have won having played a 4-4 draw away in Nigeria and then managed a goalless draw at home. No more minnows in African football.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Super Eagles of Nigeria were on Monday morning, November 16, spotted at the Benin airport about flying to Sierra Leone for the return leg of their AFCON 2022 clash against Sierra Leone.
At the airport in Benin, some fans were spotted waiting for the Super Eagles to arrive before shouting the name of Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi. Shehu Abdullahi then called one of the fans while walking and gave him some cash.
Sierra Leone coach reveals what inspired team's comeback in 4-4 draw against Nigeria | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
