Super Eagles play out goalless draw against Sierra Leone in Freetown

The Super Eagles and Leone Stars of Sierra Leone played out a 0-0 draw in the return leg of their 2022 AFCON qualifiers Group L in Freetown on Tuesday evening.

The Super Eagles made two changes from the team that played in Benin last Friday as Kelechi Iheanacho replaced the injured Victor Osimhen while Ola Aina came in for Zaidu Sanusi.

Following the draw the Eagles still top the Group L, now on eight points. Benin Republic are second on seven points, Sierra Leone third on three points, while Lesotho are bottom on two points.

The group’s other game saw Lesotho play a goalless draw against visiting Benin Republic.

The Eagles went close in the 5th minute after a long ball from Oghenekaro Etebo to Kelechi Iheanacho, but the Leone Stars’ goalkeeper rushed out of his line to gather the ball.

In the 15th minute Kei Kamara produced a fine cross from the right, but the Eagles did enough to clear their lines.

The Leone Stars had a half chance on 35 minutes through a header from Kwame Quee which was easily gathered by Maduka Okoye.

In the 36th minute the Eagles were forced to an early substitution as Etebo went off injured and was replaced by Shehu Abdullahi.

With three minutes left in the first half Okoye made a brilliant save to keep the scoreline at goalless.

The Eagles had the upper hand early in the second half and almost took the lead on 51 minutes but Iheanacho sent his effort over the bar after he was set up by Samuel Chukwueze.

In the 57th minute William Troost-Ekong brought down Kei Kamara in a dangerous position but the Eagles wall defended the free-kick well.

Ten minutes later Iheanacho thought he had opened the scoring with a header but his effort was ruled out for offside.

With 15 minutes left in the game the Eagles made their second change with Chidozie Awaziem replacing Kevin Akpoguma.

Iheanacho had another chance on 83 minutes but his curling effort was superbly saved by Mohamed Kamara in goal for the home side