The head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has warned his players that Sierra Leone will come out fighting to qualify when both sides face each other on Sunday in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Nigeria are currently second in Group A with nine points from four matches, while Sierra Leone are third on five points.
“It will be difficult game (vs Sierra Leone Sunday in Liberia),” Peseiro said.
“In the last three matches against Sierra Leone, we drew two and only won the last meeting last year in Abuja.
“Sierra Leone are a good team and they only beat us to stand a chance of qualifying for the AFCON.
“We therefore have to be at our best organisation and commitment and play a collective game against them.”
In November 2020, the Eagles were pegged back 4-4 by a remarkable Sierra Leonean comeback in Benin City, before both teams played out a scoreless draw in the reverse tie in Freetown.
Peseiro won his first game with the Eagles when they beat the Leone Stars 2-1 in Abuja last June.
Italy-based defender William Ekong further described Sunday’s clash in Monrovia, Liberia, as a cup final and the Eagles must step up to the occasion.
“This is a cup final, which we must first win,” he declared.
“We’re now a much more matured team and must step up to the occasion.”
