The three-time African champions were set for a routine victory after going 4-0 ahead in the opening 30 minutes, but Sierra Leone sealed an incredible comeback to draw level at full-time
The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has hit out at Nigeria’s performance against Sierra Leone in the first leg of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Super Eagles raced into a 4-0 lead after 30 minutes at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and looked well set to secure an emphatic victory.
However, the Leone Stars pulled one back four minutes before half-time before scoring three times in the last 18 minutes to seal a dramatic comeback.
Nigerian’s expressed their anger towards the team after the match, and it is a feeling Pinnick shares too.
Addressing the team after the game, the Delta state indigene revealed it is the worst loss he has experienced since he assumed his role as the NFF President.
“The truth is we can’t be leading 4-0 to Sierra Leone and concede four goals for no reason, Pinnick told Super Eagles TV. ”
“Since I became the President of NFF, this is the worst loss I’ve seen in my life. Next few days I wonder how I’m going to sleep.”
“That spirit of competition is not there anymore, and that’s the truth.”
The second leg of the match takes place on Tuesday at the Siaka Stevens Stadium, Freetown, and Pinnick has urged the team to ensure they correct the first leg result by recording a 4-0 win.
“It’s not winning, winning is an understatement. It is to give them that 4-0 and to make sure they don’t score one, the NFF President added.”