The Super Eagles booked their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday after a dramatic 3-2 win over Sierra Leone in their Group A clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Monrovia, Liberia on Sunday night, PUNCH Sports Extra<\/em> reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rampaging striker Napoli Victor Osimhen scored a first-half brace, but Mustapha Bundu and Augustine Kargbo equalised for the hosts to send the tie into a frenetic finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Kelechi Iheanacho\u2019s stoppage-time winner earned the Eagles all three points and qualification for the continental showpiece with a game to spare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nigeria thus moved back to the top of Group A with 12 points from five matches, ahead of Guinea-Bissau, who were top of the log with 10 points \u2014 after their 1-0 win over group\u2019s whipping boys Sao Tome and Principe \u2014 before Sunday\u2019s clash in Monrovia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The visitors started the game on the front foot, pinning their hosts back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Osimhen gave Nigeria a well deserved lead in the 19th minute with a chip over Sierra Leone goalkeeper Ibrahim Sesay, following a long ball from centre-back and captain of the day Kenneth Omeruo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Villarreal man Samuel Chukwueze missed the chance to double Nigeria\u2019s lead in the 27th minute but he shot straight at Sesay after he was put through on goal by Osimhen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Osimhen then doubled the Eagles lead for his seventh goal of the qualifiers, after the Leone Stars defence failed to clear the ball inside the area following a Moses Simon cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Eagles remained on the front foot and nearly scored the third in the 39th minute but Simon\u2019s drive was saved by Sesay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sierra Leone then pulled a goal back through Mustapha Bundu three minutes before the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Substitute Iheanacho was denied by Sesay 12 minutes from time after he was set up by Osimhen, who came off for Taiwo Awoniyi in the 81st minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kargbo then drew the home side level in the 84th minute, as the pocket of fans at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex cheered their team on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it was the Eagles that had the last laugh, after Iheanacho grabbed the winner in stoppage time with a simple tap-in off a through ball by Zaidu Sanusi, for his 13th international goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nigeria thus moved back to the top of Group A with 12 points from five matches, ahead of Guinea-Bissau, who were top of the log with 10 points \u2014 after last Wednesday\u2019s 1-0 win over group\u2019s whipping boys Sao Tome and Principe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guinea-Bissau are also through to next year\u2019s AFCON, while Sierra Leone (five points) and Sao Tome (one point) are eliminated from the qualifying tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Eagles end their AFCON series with a dead rubber clash against Sao Tome in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Courtesy Punch Nigeria<\/p>\n