Super Eagles of Nigeria will host Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in their quest for a spot in the 2023 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast. The last time both nations met was in 2020 and they both played a 4-4 draw despite odds favouring the Eagles. NFF has disclosed that the game will be played behind closed doors in order not to have a repetition of the aftermath of Nigeria vs Ghana.
NFF in a statement issued said the fans should take heart and will be allowed to return to the stadium after just a match.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said in Abuja on Tuesday that the situation is a consequence of the one-match ban placed on the country by the world football –governing body, FIFA over the fracas that followed the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff round against the Black Stars of Ghana in March.
“We want to appeal to our very passionate football fans to take heart for this one game. It is only a one-match ban, after which they can again start trooping out to support the Super Eagles. The match against Sierra Leone will be without fans as a consequence of what happened after the match against the Ghanaians.
“Nonetheless, we want to urge all our football fans, and indeed all Nigerians, to support the team whichever way they can and pray for success against the Sierra Leoneans on Thursday.”
On 13 June, Super Eagles will travel to Morocco to play São Tomé and principle in their second tier.
