Nigeria 2-1 Sierra Leone LIVE! Osimhen goal - AFCON qualifier result, match stream and latest updates today

Nigeria vs Sierra Leone - LIVE!

Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria overcome an impressive Sierra Leone in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday.

While the hosts raced into an early lead following a goal from Jonathan Morsay and threatened to make matters worse by hitting the post minutes later, individual quality paid off.

Indeed, the Super Eagles hardly looked convincing on a pitch in terrible condition.

The slick attacking play that saw them heralded as early favourites in the early part of the AFCON tournament in January was not at all evident, with the big-name attackers failing to find eachother.

Still, Iwobi calmly stroked one home to restore parity before Osimhen powered in what proved to be a winner five minutes before half-time after good work from Moses Simon.

Eventually, the Super Eagles got there.

See how all of the action unfolded with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below...

Nigeria vs Sierra Leone latest news

• Full match report

• AFCON qualifier results

Thank you and good night

22:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

Thank you for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Nigeria’s win over Sierra Leone.

You can read a full round-up of all the AFCON qualifier action here.

Read Standard Sport’s match report in full!

18:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR FULL MATCH REPORT.

FT: Nigeria 2-1 Sierra Leone

18:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

Barely the most convincing display from Nigeria but three points sealed after a comeback.

Bad injury

18:43 , Jonathan Gorrie

83:00 - Watford’s Troost-Ekong is stretchered off with what looks like a hamstring injury.

Far too open

18:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

82:00 - The worst thing Nigeria could do at the moment would be to make this an open game.

We’ve seen how the away side can cause problems, yet Nigeria look to be leaving themselves light at the back.

This one just needs seeing out.

Much better from Nigeria

18:39 , Jonathan Gorrie

81:00 - Much better from Nigeria, who are coming closer to that third goal.

The final ball, however, is just missing.

OFF THE LINE!

18:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

73:00 - The away side scramble to get an overhead kick off the line!

Almost a stunning third.

CHANCE FOR SIERRA LEONE

18:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

66:00 - Bakayoko almost scores with this first touch for Sierra Leone!

He rounds the ‘keeper after a mess at the back for Nigeria but cannot quite find one more touch to direct the ball goalward.

CHANCE FOR NIGERIA

18:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

64:00 - Huge let-off for Sierra Leone.

Chukwueze has only the ‘keeper to beat after a defensive mix-up but doesn’t even hit the target!

Nigeria linking up well

18:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

62:00 - Wasn’t a huge amount to get excited about in the first-half in terms of Nigeria linking up.

Since the switch to a 4-2-3-1, Chukwueze, Simon and Aina all finding each other with ease.

CHANCE FOR NIGERIA

18:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

61:00 - The away defenders stand off Chukwueze, allowing him space to shoot.

His angled shot, however, fires just wide of the post.

Calmer from Nigeria

18:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

50:00 - The home side look to have learnt their lesson.

Keeping the ball nicely, they’re not leaving themselves open to any kind of counter.

Change in formation for the Super Eagles

18:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

48:00 - Looks to be a 4-2-3-1 now with Etebo alongside Aribo in the pivot.

Pitch has been watered

18:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

46:00 - The pitch is a real mess.

At half-time, the sprinklers have been out in an attempt to improve things, with the away side starting the brightest.

Back underway!

18:09 , Jonathan Gorrie

Back undereway!

Nigeria kick-off

Back out on the field!

18:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

Things getting underway here.

Hopefully the second-half lives up to the first!

Brilliant match so far

17:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

Given Sierra Leone’s performance so far, you’d hardly bet against them getting a second...

HT: Nigeria 2-1 Sierra Leone

17:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

Iwobi and Osimhen strike back after the away side take a shock lead.

Nigeria’s quality the difference

17:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

42:00 - Really good from Sierra Leone but, sometimes, effort is not enough.

One of Europe’s most in-demand forward, Osimhen is so dangerous.

GOAL! Nigeria 2-1 Sierra Leone | Victor Osimhen ‘40

17:46 , Jonathan Gorrie

40:00 - The difference-maker!

Brilliant cross from Aina is headed down by Simon, with the Napoli star stretching to blast home.

Fox in the box!

Sierra Leone want a penalty

17:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

35:00 - Super Eagles open at the back again, with Aina caught up field.

The ball looks to have struck a hand after an away cross, although the appearls are waved away.

Caulker on a mission

17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

27:00 - Caulker is a one-man wall for Sierra Leone.

Just as Nigeria look to pull the trigger, the former Southampton man is there to block it.

Sierra Leone coming forward

17:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

25:00 - The worry was Nigeria’s goal would cause Sierra Leone to crumble.

There’s been little concern of that with the away side pushing forward, seemingly taking heart from Nigeria’s early defensive fraility.

CHANCE FOR NIGERIA

17:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

19:00 - Simon goes close with a header at the back post but a brilliant save keeps Nigiera out!

No luck for Osimhen so far

17:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

18:00 - Not much luck for the Napoli star at the moment, despite how much Nigeria are looking for him with long balls.

GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Sierra Leone | Alex Iwobi ‘16

17:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

16:00 - Brilliant finish from Iwobi into the far-right corner after good work from Moses Simon.

Came seconds after Sierra Leone had hit the post themselves.

Some game we’ve got here.

GOAL! Nigeria 0-1 Sierra Leone - John Morsay ‘11

17:17 , Jonathan Gorrie

10:00 - Sierre Leone take the lead! Brilliant work down the right sees Morsay head in!

Nigeria having plenty of the ball

17:13 , Jonathan Gorrie

08:00 - A couple of times now, Nigeria have looked for the long ball, attempting to pen their opposition back.

Still, the away defence is doing well to repel the attacks, albeit struggling to keep a hold of it themselves.

Strong start from the Super Eagles!

17:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

07:00 - Strong from Nigeria, penning Sierra Leone and boasting most of the ball thus far.

KICK-OFF

17:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

We’re off and running!

Fast start from the Super Eagles, though their opposition proved a strong team at the AFCON earlier this year.

Kanu’s message of support

16:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

Elsewhere across the AFCON qualifiers

16:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

Hector Cuper, who took Egypt to the AFCON final in 2017, has been fired by DR Congo after their loss to Sudan on Wednesday.

A look inside the changing rooms

16:33 , Jonathan Gorrie

Sierra Leone staring lineup

16:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

Nigeria starting lineup

16:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

Some star names on show for the Super Eagles...

A reminder of their last qualification meeting

16:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

What a game it was...

Head to head (h2h) history and results

15:53 , Jonathan Gorrie

Sierra Leone have never beaten the Super Eagles on away soil.

Nigeria wins: 9

Draws: 5

Sierra Leone wins: 2

Prediction

15:39 , Jonathan Gorrie

Sierra Leone put together a surprisingly strong AFCON campaign earlier this year, even if they were knocked out at the first round.

Nigeria have all the pressure on them yet should be able to pull off an opening-day win.

Nigeria to win, 1-0.

Nigeria team news

15:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

Victor Osimhen, Peter Etebo and Ahmed Musa are among the players to link-up with the Nigeria squad after missing the North American friendlies.

Leicetser’s Wilfried Ndidi and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye are absent for the Super Eagles.

Where to watch Nigeria vs Sierra Leone

15:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel and live stream: The match will not be televised live in the UK.

Live blog: However, you can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Good afternoon!

14:56 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Nigeria vs Sierra Leone!

Qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations starts here and Jose Peseiro will be looking for a fast start in his match competitive match in charge of the Super Eagles.

We’ll have all the latest updates and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5pm BST from the Abuja National Stadium.