2023 AFCON Qualifiers: “Our Players In High Spirit Ahead Nigeria Clash’” — Sierra Leone FA

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA)says the Leone Stars are in high spirit as they get set to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria, in their first game of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers inside the MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja on Thursday.

Players and officials of the Leone Stars arrived in Nigeria from Conakry, Guinea, on Saturday where they had been camping.

The team had their first training session in Abuja on Sunday and would hope to get their campaign off to a positive start when they face the Eagles.

“Leone Stars had their first training, with all players present, in Abuja this evening (Sunday) as preparation for the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers matches against the Super Eagles of Nigeria continues.

“With 3 more days to match day, the boys continue to keep fit and highly spirited,” the SLFA wrote on Twitter.

Recall both teams met during the qualifiers for the 2021 AFCON with the Leone Stars coming from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 against the Eagles in Benin City.

And in the reverse fixture in Freetown, the two teams settled for a goalless draw and eventually qualified for the 2021 AFCON.

Meanwhile, the Eagles go into Thursday’s game on the back of two defeats against Mexico and Ecuador in doubleheader friendly games in the United States.

After suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Mexicans in Dallas, the Eagles succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Ecuador in New Jersey.