Nigeria vs Sierra Leone: Prediction, team news, kick-off time, form guide – 2023 AFCON qualifier latest

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will return to action on Thursday, hosting Sierra Leone in a qualifier to begin their journey to Cote d’Ivoire for the Africa Cup of Nations next year.

The Super Eagles have been working hard in training at the Moshood Abiola national stadium in Abuja to make amends for some lackluster performances in recent months.

Nigeria is hoping to make a comeback to Africa’s biggest football festival after a quarter-final exit in Cameroon during the 2021 edition.

Despite hiring a new manager in Jose Peseiro, the Eagles’ situation appears to have remained unchanged.

Following back-to-back defeats in two international friendly matches last week against Mexico and Ecuador, the team is looking to make amends, beginning with the game against the Leone Stars.

Sierra Leone, who haven’t played football since March, are in Nigeria to add to the Super Eagles’ woes. In their most recent match, the Leone Stars defeated Congo in a friendly.

Teams News

Nigeria named a new 27-man squad for this match, with some notable players returning after missing the games against Mexico and Ecuador in the United States.

Victor Osimhen, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Zaidu Sanusi, and Ahmed Musa, the team’s captain, have all returned.

However, the team is still without Wilfried Ndidi, a key defensive midfielder who is still out injured.

The Leone Stars, who are already in Sierra Leone, have an injury-free squad and are ready to go at the time of this report.

Form Guide

The Super Eagles will enter this match in poor form, having lost all five of their previous matches in all competitions. Nigeria has lost three of those games and drawn two others, its worst run in over three decades.

In terms of form, Sierra Leone isn’t far behind Nigeria, as the Leone Stars have lost one, drawn two, and won one of their last four games.

Both teams will be looking for their first win since January when they take the field at Moshood Abiola Stadium.

Kick-off time

The game will kick off at exactly 5 pm Nigerian time.

Predicted XI

Nigeria Predicted XI: Francis Uzoho; Ola Aina, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey; Sani Faisal, Joe Aribo, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon; Cyriel Dessers, Victor Osimhen

Sierra Leone Predicted XI: Mohamed Nbalie Kamara; Osman Kakay, Alie Sesay, Steven Caulker, Kevin Wright; Kamil Conteh, Kallum Cesay, Kwame Quee; Mohamed Buya Turay, Musa Kamara, Sullay Kaikai