AFCON 2023: Super Eagles qualify as Osimhen, Iheanacho score in five-goal thriller 

In a thrilling encounter at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho stole the show with a scintillating performance, leading Nigeria's Super Eagles to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone.

With this win, Nigeria secured their place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with a game to spare, much to the delight of the passionate Nigerian fans.

The match began with an energetic start from both teams, but it was Osimhen who looked particularly dangerous in the early stages.

The Napoli striker showcased his aerial prowess, connecting with a well-drilled cross from Moses Simon, only to be denied by a spectacular save from Sierra Leone's goalkeeper, Ibrahim Sesay.

However, Osimhen's persistence paid off as he broke the deadlock, giving the Super Eagles an early advantage.

Showing his predatory instincts, the talismanic forward pounced on a clearance from Kenneth Omeruo and expertly placed his finish over the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper.

This goal marked Osimhen's first for the Super Eagles since June 2022, when he netted an astonishing four goals against Sao Tome and Principe.

Eager to make up for a lost time, the 24-year-old continued to wreak havoc on Sierra Leone's defence. Osimhen displayed his playmaking abilities by outsmarting two defenders before providing a square pass to Samuel Chukwueze, whose powerful shot was thwarted by Sesay's heroics once again.

Nonetheless, Osimhen remained undeterred and doubled Nigeria's lead in the 32nd minute with an emphatic finish. With his two goals in the bag, Osimhen now leads the AFCON qualification goals chart with an impressive tally of seven strikes, surpassing the likes of Senegal's Sadio Mane, who has five goals to his name.

Furthermore, this remarkable feat saw Osimhen climb up the ladder of Nigeria's all-time scoring chart, joining Samson Siasia in joint-sixth position with 17 international goals.

Despite Nigeria's dominance, Sierra Leone displayed resilience and managed to pull one back just before halftime. Mustapha Bundu capitalized on a through-ball, leaving Omeruo trailing in his wake, and unleashed a well-placed shot that denied Super Eagles goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye a clean sheet on his debut.

The second half saw Sierra Leone rally and put Nigeria under sustained pressure. The Leone Stars were determined to find an equalizer and tested Adeleye's mettle with several attempts on goal. The Israeli-based shot-stopper rose to the occasion, making crucial saves to deny Sierra Leone a chance to level the score.

However, the determined visitors eventually found their equalizer through Bundu's fierce strike from outside the box. The bottom left corner of the net bulged as Sierra Leone celebrated their hard-earned equalizer, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.

With the match delicately poised at 2-2, both teams pushed for a winner, but it was Nigeria's Kelechi Iheanacho who emerged as the hero of the hour. In the dying moments of the game, Iheanacho displayed his poaching instincts, latching onto a Zaidu Sanusi cross and calmly slotting home the decisive goal, securing a dramatic victory for the Super Eagles.

With this crucial win, Nigeria reclaimed the top spot in Group A, amassing 12 points from five games. The three-time African champions can now breathe a sigh of relief, having secured their place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Although they still have one more match to play against Sao Tome and Principe on home soil, the Super Eagles can approach it with the confidence of having achieved their primary objective.