‘Nigeria deserved 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification’ – Kenneth Omeruo

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria defender, Kenneth Omeruo insists his side deserved its qualification for 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

Jose Peseiro’s side warded off Sierra Leone’s comeback from 2-0 down to earn a 3-2 win over the Leone Stars to seal a place at next year’s tournament in Monrovia, Liberia.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal in the additional minutes of the second half settled the contest in favour of the three-time African Champions and the Super Eagles standing captain feels it was a deserved win for his side.

“Qualification for the next AFCON is what Nigeria deserves. I know that some might believe we should have beaten Sierra Leone by many goals but football has changed,” Omeruo told Channels Television.

“Conceding those two goals after scoring two and winning the game meant we kept our heads up throughout the game. At 2-2, I want thinking about the team calming down. The equaling how from Sierra Leone was a good goal.

“There are some things that we ought to have done to prevent the goal but I am happy with the way the players took it and never gave up on getting the deserved win.

“The coach did everything he was supposed to do and did a lot of defending in preparing for the game and still conceded those goals. It happens in football. Every team concedes goals. The national team is not like club sides where you have every week to play and improve.

“For national teams, we might play five games a year with a week to build a team for each game. We keep having new players and changing things with that consistency not being there. I beige that we are working really hard and sure with the right facilities, we can win games and solve our on-field problems together.

“It has been an amazing journey. Ups and downs sometimes but I thank God that I am here and I am enjoying it with the amazing talents that we have in the team. I am sure that very soon, we would be unstoppable.”

Victory took Nigeria to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals with 12 points, with a match to spare, alongside second-placed Guinea Bissau, on 10. The Leone Stars crashed out with only five points.

Nigeria will host Sao Tome and Principe in a purely academic exercise in September.