AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles apologize to Nigerians after draw

The Nigerian senior national team endured a disappointing evening at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City but have another chance in a few days to put things right

Super Eagles skipper Ahmed Musa has, on behalf of the Gernot Rohr-led side, begged Nigerians to forgive the manner of the team’s second-half display that saw them throw away a four-goal lead in an Afcon qualifier against Sierra Leone on Friday evening.

Excitingly, Nigeria ran to a four-goal lead in the game’s opening half-hour courtesy of an Alex Iwobi double, a Victor Osimhen strike, and a Samuel Chukwueze wonder goal.

However, an unlikely Sierra Leone come back began in the 41st minute when Kwame Quee fired past Maduka Okoye following a Chukwueze mistake.

Three further goals in the game’s last 20 minutes completed the Leone Stars’ incredible fightback, earned the visitors a point from the encounter, and sent shock waves down the marrow of every Nigerian fan.

Supporters of the Super Eagles have wasted little time in venting their fury on players and coaches alike, but team captain Musa has apologised for the unsatisfactory ending to the encounter and promised a different outcome when the sides meet again on Tuesday.

“This has been a real shocker,” the former Al Nassr forward told the Nigeria Football Federation website.

“I want to, on behalf of the entire team, apologise to the generality of Nigerians for this poor result. We will go to Freetown and do the needful.”

Nigeria and Sierra Leone trade tackles again on Tuesday in the return Group L fixture of the Afcon qualifying series.

Gernot Rohr’s men retain the group’s top spot with seven points, despite dropping their first points of the campaign, while the Leon Stars now boast two points from their three games played.