Sierra Leone head coach, John Keister, says the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Liberia on Sunday (today) is a must-win game, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Super Eagles won the last encounter between the two sides 2-1 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on June 9, 2022.
There is a lot at stake for both sides heading into this crucial encounter.
The Eagles are currently second on the log after Guinea-Bissau secured a 1-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe on Thursday to move top of the table with 10 points, while Sierra Leone are third with five points from four matches as well.
A victory for Nigeria on Sunday will see the three-time African champions qualify for next year’s AFCON billed to hold in Ivory Coast.
Keister’s men are four points adrift of second-placed Nigeria, a victory today will see Sierra Leone close the gap and have all to play for in their last qualifier against Guinea Bissau.
Speaking ahead of the game, Keister admitted that the game at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Liberia today was a must-win one for his side.
“We know this is a match that we need to win, and therefore we have to be positive in our approach against a difficult Nigerian side – and we will definitely be,” he said in an interview with Sierra Leone journalist Alie Bittar.
“We are a young group, but there is just this feeling that we can come here and get a result against Nigeria. It’s going to be a fight – we are ready to deal with whatever is thrown at us. Football is about the day who wants it the most.”
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