Nigeria beat Sierra Leone 3-2 in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Sunday, with striker Kelechi Ihenacho scoring a stoppage-time winner to become one of four countries added to the list of finalists for next year’s tournament.
Sierra Leone’s hopes of catching Guinea Bissau in Group A were dashed, while the Cape Verde Islands advanced from Group B and Mali from Group G.
They will compete in the finals in January alongside hosts Ivory Coast, holders Senegal, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia.
Nigeria was relieved after allowing a 2-0 lead, courtesy of a Victor Osimhen double, to slip as Sierra Leone battled back to tie the game at 2-2 and came close to scoring a third.
But their slim hopes were dashed by the Leicester City striker’s simple back post-tap-in just before the final whistle.
Guinea Bissau, who had defeated Sao Tome and Principe on Wednesday, were then assured of a top-two finish and a fourth consecutive appearance in the finals.
Cape Verde, who rely heavily on players from their migrant population in Portugal, defeated Burkina Faso 3-1 at home to secure their place in the tournament.
Former Manchester United midfielder Bebe scored first before goals from Joao Paulo and Cle secured victory.
Mali defeated Congo 2-0 in Brazzaville to qualify for the ninth consecutive finals, with Ibrahima Kone and Nene Dorgeles scoring in the final 30 minutes.
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