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By Abiodun Adewale
Following Nigeria’s bumpy 3-2 win over Sierra Leone in the penultimate game of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers in Liberia on Sunday, defender Kenneth Omeruo has acknowledged the need to be more focused as the team progresses into the tournament in Ivory Coast next year, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Omeruo captained the Eagles against the Leone Stars on Monday, but his performance in the heart of the defence was singled out by fans for criticism, especially in the build-up to the goals conceded by the Eagles.
After Nigeria surrendered a two-goal lead, Omeruo’s blushes were, however, spared by substitute Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored a late winner to seal qualification for Nigeria with a 3-2 win.
The performance came on the back of a sloppy 1-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in Abuja in March, although he was Omeruo was an unused substitute in that game.
“It was a difficult game and we knew they were going to fight because it was the opportunity they had To qualify, but I’m happy we kept our heads and won the game.
“Concentration is something very important, the game would have been killed in the first half, but still we must always stay focused until the end. We try to push the team from the back and if we lose our head, we would concede more goals,” Omeruo said after the game.
With a place in Ivory Coast secured, the Super Eagles will regroup in September for their last game of the qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe.
Nigeria won the reverse fixture of the encounter in Morocco last year with a historic 10-0 scoreline.