Sierra Leone vs Nigeria Predictions - Super Eagles to take a point to qualify in Monrovia

James O'Connor

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Last updated: 17 Jun 2023

James O'Connor 17 Jun 2023

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Sierra Leone vs Nigeria Predictions for Sunday’s AFCON qualifier (17:00 BST)
The Super Eagles have lost just 1 of their last 15 AFCON Qualifying matches
Can Nigeria get the point they need to quality in Liberia?

Expired

Nigeria to avoid defeat to seal AFCON 2023 spot (Getty Images)

Sierra Leone vs Nigeria Predictions

Nigeria just need a point from this match in Liberia to qualify. Sierra Leone should score but I don’t see them having enough at “home” to win the match. A draw looks like the best bet with BTTS Yes.
Sierra Leone vs Nigeria Predictions
Head to Head
Sierra Leone Form
Sierra Leone Injuries & Team News
Nigeria Form
Nigeria Injuries & Team News

Sierra Leone are undefeated in 7 of their last 8 matches (AFCON Qualifiers).
Sierra Leone have seen BTTS in 3 of their last 4 matches (AFCON Qualifiers).
Nigeria are undefeated in 14 of their last 15 matches (AFCON Qualifiers).
Nigeria are unbeaten in their last 6 matches vs Sierra Leone.

Head to Head

Nigeria hold a 5-1 advantage over Sierra Leone across eight previous meetings with two draws.

The reverse fixture was played in June 2022 as the Super Eagles won 2-1 at home.

Sierra Leone Form

The Leone Stars need a win or their AFCON qualification ambitions will be over. They lost 2-1 to Nigeria and drew 2-2 at home with Guinea-Bissau in their first two Group A matches.

They suffered two heavy friendlies defeats, 4-0 in South Africa and 3-0 to Congo DR. In March, they came from behind twice to get a 2-2 home draw with Sao Tome in a qualifier.

Four days later, they beat Sao Tome e Principe 2-0 in Morocco to keep their vague hopes of a place at AFCON 2023 alive.

Sierra Leone Injuries & Team News

Sierra Leone coach Josh Keister is without several key players. Captain Steven Caulker is doubtful in defence and attacker Jonathan Morsay (who scored in Nigeria) is absent.

QPR defender Osman Kakay and Cambuur right-back Alex Bangura are out. Spain-based midfielder Alhassan Koroma is suspended.

Goalkeepers: Mohamed Kamara, Ibrahim Sesay, Donald Kamara

Defenders: Steven Caulker, Abubakarr Samura, Emmanuel Samadia, Alpha Turay, Daniel Francis, Edward Fornah, Prince Barrie, Joseph Cleveland

Midfielders: Kamil Conteh, Alusine Koroma, Saidu Fofanah, Abu Dumbuya, Saidu Bah Kamara, Mustapha Bundu, Idris Kanu, Mohamed Kabba

Forwards: Augustus Kargbo, Musa Noah Kamara, Abu Komeh, Rodney Michael, Augustine Williams, Santigie Sesay

Nigeria Form

The Super Eagles just need a draw to secure a place at the 2023 African Cup of Nations. They beat Sierra Leona 2-1 and then thrashed Sao Tome 10-0 in their first two matches in Group A.

Nigeria then lost three friendlies in a row at the back end of 2022. They lost 2-1 to Algeria, 2-0 to Costa Rice and 4-0 to Portugal.

In March’s FIFA break, Jose Peseiro’s team lost 1-0 at home to Guinea-Bissau in a qualifier. They crucially bounced back to beat the same opponents 1-0 three days later in Bissau.

Nigeria Injuries & Team News

Coach Jose Peseiro without first choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho due to injury.

Prolific Belgian-based strikers Victor Boniface and Gift Orban have not been selected and neither has Southampton’s Paul Onuachu.

Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye, Olorunleke Ojo, Victor Sochima

Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Kevin Akpoguma, Calvin Bassey, Chidiebube Duru, Kenneth Omeruo, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi, William Troost Ekong

Midfielders: Joe Aribo, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Divine Nwachukwu, Frank Onyeka

Forwards: Taiwo Awoniyi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ademola Lookman, Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon