Sierra Leone v Nigeria: Keister Eyes A Repeat of 2021

Sierra Leone coach John Keister his eying a repeat of 2001 result when his side face the Super Eagles of Nigeria
at the Samuel Kanyon Doe, Stadium, Monrovia on Sunday.

Third placed Sierra Leone need to pick the maximum points in their next games to book a place in the AFCON 2023 proper.

And Keister who was a member of the Leone Stars led by Mohammed Kallon who defeated Nigeria in 2001 is anticipating a repeat.

“I remember in 2001, I was part of the Sierra Leone team that beat Nigeria 1-0 and this was when no one expected anything from us,” Keister stated in a video interview posted on the Facebook page of the Sierra Leone Football Association.

“I have that feeling again with this team going to Liberia to face Nigeria, despite the challenges we have with players suspended, several personal issues and injuries, that we can do it again.”

The Super Eagles are overwhelming favourites to win the tie but Keister believes his players can pull a shock.

“We can’t afford to show them too much respect and that is a fact in football. It is about how badly we want it and how much we can motivate the boys and trust them to go and perform,” added the gaffer.

“Like I said, they have some good players doing well abroad, but it is about how we approach the game and we will go into the game with a very strong mentality as we have always done.”

Nigeria and Sierra Leone clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, 18 June, as Sierra Leone do not have any stadium in their country approved for international matches.