Izuchukwu OkosiNigeria’s flag will be hoisted at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivorie following the hard fought 3-2 win by the team against Sierra Leone on Sunday evening, reports Prime Business Africa.
The tournament slated to hold between January and February 2024 will be Nigeria’s 20th appearance at the tournament.
The three-time African champions required at least a draw to be certain of qualification to the biannual competition and achieved the feat albeit it was not an easy walk in the park for Jose Peseiro’s side.
Victor Osimhen got a goal in the 19th minute of the first half with a lobbed finish which was his 17th international goal as a Super Eagles player.
He has now beaten Jude Odion Ighalo (16) and Ahmed Musa (16) to most international goals by an active Super Eagles player.
The legendary Rashidi Yekini remains Nigeria’s all-time leading goal scorer with 37 goals meaning Osimhen is now 20 goals shy of equalling that feat.
Osimhen added the second goal in the 32nd minute to increase Nigeria’s advantage.
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro handed Adebayo Adeleye the nod to start in goal for his second appearance for the team.
Sierra Leone reduced the deficit four minutes before the break to make it 2-1.
Samuel Chukwueze had a goal ruled out for offside shortly before the half time break for a foul on the Sierra Leonean keeper before slotting the ball inside the gaping net.
Augustus Kargbo equalised for the hosts in the 84th minute as he waltzed through the poor Eagles back line to ensure the share of the spoils at the time.
Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winner in the 95th minute to hand the Jose Peseiro-led team the maximum points when he prodded home the ball after a good low cross by left back Zaidu Sanusi.
The Super Eagles now have 12 points from five games, two points clear of second-placed Guinea-Bissau.
Up next for Nigeria is a home clash against Sao Tome and Principe in September.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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