By Amaechi Agbo

The Minister of youth and sports, Sunday Dare has declared that the “needful will be done” following abysmal performances of the Super eagles of Nigeria in two-legged 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON against Sierra Leone, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

Super Eagles squandered their 4-0 lead against the Sierra Leone players in Benin on Friday to end the match 4-4 to the consternation of football followers in Nigeria. The team lead by Gernot Rohr in return leg played on Tuesday in Freetown, Sierra Leone ended goalless.

Although Nigeria currently sit atop of Group L in the qualifying log, the minister appears not to be taken the results lightly.

“The performance of the Super Eagles from their last two matches calls to question the suitability and competences of Technical Adviser, Rohr,” he said on his Twitter handle.

“Nigerian football deserves better. The needful will be done. Apologies to all football lovers.”

The Super Eagles for the first time in 46 years failed to win a match in single year. Out of the four matches the team played this year, no thanks to COVID-19 pandemic, they lost one, and drew 3 others.

The Super Eagles delayed picking their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying ticket as they could only share points in a scoreless draw with the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Freetown on Tuesday.

Spurred on by a special incentive of a blank cheque made by President Julius Maada Bio should they defeat the Super Eagles, the Leone Stars approached the game with some gusto, and sought to wear down the Eagles with their team work, cohesion and fast breaks.

Yet, it was Nigeria that created the early chances, with Captain Ahmed Musa shooting wide and goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara saving from Kelechi Iheanacho within the first three minutes. In the 11^th minute, Mohamed Turay, who pestered the Eagles’ defence relentlessly, headed over the bar from a cross by Kei Kamara.

In the 22^nd minute, Maduka Okoye saved from Kwame Quee, and on the half hour, Iheanacho wasted a great chance to put Nigeria ahead by shooting wild just outside the box. Two minutes later, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, needing just to place the ball beyond the goalkeeper in the box, fluffed his lines.

Iheanacho wasted another opportunity in the 37^th minute, before the Leone Stars came agonisingly close on two occasions before referee Tawel Camara Younoussa blew for half time.

The ding-dong continued in the second half. In the 52^nd minute, after great work by Samuel Chukwueze and gifted the ball to simply place beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kamara, Iheanacho again lifted the ball too high. Alex Iwobi and Iheanacho also missed chances as the game wore on, but the Leone Stars also had their own chances, with Turay, Kei Kamara and Mustapha Bundu raiding the Nigeria goal area now and again.

The draw keeps Nigeria at the top of Group L with eight points, one more than second –placed Benin Republic, who also ended their encounter with Lesotho in Maseru scoreless. Sierra Leone stay third with three points, and Lesotho bottom of the table with two.

Next up for the Super Eagles is the Day 5 clash with second –placed Benin Republic in Cotonou in March 2021.