AFCON: Cogent reasons Nigeria must win on Friday against Sierra Leone

The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone would battle Nigeria as the AFCON qualifiers continue this Friday.

It promises to be a mind-boggling fixture across the continent as some of the prominent sides aim to book a place on the AFCON showpieces slated in Cameroon.

With preparation heating top gear amid the countdown to the fixtures, necessary permutations could be understudy. Nigeria as always, would be expecting to win for many reasons as the case may be.

Here, MediaNG evaluates some of those reasons why the Super Eagles have got the edge going into the match against the Sierra Leone side.

Home Advantage

Playing at home is a big plus for any side and the West African side are not excluded from this merit as they welcome Sierra Leone this weekend.

The visitors flew into the country amid a chartered flight earlier in the week but the Super Eagles are already on ground in the country preparing for the all-important game.

The Gernot Rohr-led side would have more time to get familiar with the playing turf while the Nigerian atmosphere would be in their favour as the slated match gets closer by the moment with much expectation attached to it.

Quality Breed of Players

Nigeria is blessed with quality as you would expect like in the glory days when the Eagles team boasted of star names in their ranks.

The present team has got what it takes to get the job done unlike the players available to the Sierra Leone counterparts.

Though the visitors are not supposed to be misjudged or underrated, however, the difference is miles clear as in the case of quality available for both sides.

Playeers like Samuel Chukwueze and his U-17 companion Victor Osimhen and Nigeria skipper, Ahmed Musa should herald a positive attacking flux for Nigeria.

Ola Aina, Leon Balogun and William-Troost-Ekong should provide cover defensively for Nigeria as three-point is at stake in the game.

And this should give Nigeria overall leverage facing the Sierra Leone side this Friday in the qualifiers.

Pedigree and Players’ Exposure

It’s no denying fact that Nigeria has got more football pedigree than the Sierra Leone side in all regards.

This should stand the Super Eagles so tall and firm against their visiting counterpart. Nigeria could boast of a better experience and understanding of the game with most of their players plying their trade in Europe.

This is not to be said of the Sierra Leone side who’ve got the majority of their players based at home and in various Leagues on the African continent with only a few playing abroad.