AFCON Qualifier: Eagles Surrender Four-Goal Lead To Draw Against Sierra Leone
Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
Super Eagles of Nigeria were forced to a 4-4 draw by Sierra Leone in the day 3 of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Friday night.
The Gernot Rohr inspired side, who were thrashing the Leone Stars 4-0 at half-time, threw away the four-goal lead to draw in Benin City on Friday night.
The Super Eagles, who started the encounter as Group L leaders, showed their opponents that they meant real business with the curtain-raiser through Alex Iwobi.
Victor Osimhen then went on a brilliant solo run spanning about 40 metres but his square pass inside the box eluded Ahmed Musa and fell to Samuel Chukwueze whose curling effort was blocked.
In the 20th minute, there was a big chance for Sierra Leone to draw level. Buya Turay crossed for Kei Kamara who had all the time in the world but volleyed over from inside the box.
Immediately after Kamara’s big miss, Nigeria doubled their advantage. Zaidu Sanusi crossed low into the box before Osimhen finished well at the far post.
The impressive Iwobi had his second of the evening on the 27th minute. A brilliant interchange of passes fell on the Everton man who spotted the goalkeeper badly placed and curled home from 30 yards.
Chukwueze made it 4-0 for the Super Eagle in the 29th minute before the visitors reduced the deficit in the 41st minute.
The same Chukwueze was robbed of possession close to the Nigerian penalty area before Kwame Quee applied the finishing touch.
The First half ended 4-1 in favour of the three-time African champions.
The second half started at an electrifying pace as Chukwueze hit the bar following a fine cross from Musa.
The Eagles coach made two changes some minutes after the hour mark. Musa was evicted for Kelechi Iheanacho, while Semi Ajayi was introduced for the injured Leon Balogun.
There was another goal for Sierra Leone in the 72nd minute. A cross from Kevin Wright was met with a great header by Al-Hadji Kamara.
The stage was set for a dramatic home stretch when Sierra Leone got another goal through Mustapha Bundu in the 80th minute.
The visitors equalised with four minutes left on the clock and it was Al-Hadji Kamara who scored the goal.
