The Super Eagles got to a winning start in AFCON 2021 campaign after recording a 1-0 win Egypt in Garoua on Tuesday. Super Eagles Nullifies ‘Salah Magic’ and Outclass Egypt In Group D Opener.
It is the Eagles’ first win over Egypt at the AFCON since the 1990 edition in Algiers.
Kelechi Iheanacho was the legend as his splendid first-half volley fixed the merited success for the Super Eagles.
Liverpool star, forward Mohamed Salah was a ‘traveler’ all through the experience as he was invalidated by the Eagles safeguard.
Egypt had the main possibility on objective in the fifth moment through Mostafa Mohamed, who blasted on the right however his low shot was saved by Maduka Okoye.
The Pharoahs were constrained into an early change as Akram Tawfik went off harmed and was supplanted by Mohamed Abdelmoner.
In the thirteenth moment Egypt broke on a counter however Okoye came out fast from his area to foil the risk.
Moses Simon has the Eagles’ first once in a lifetime opportunity on 27 minutes after he was played on by Joe Aribo, however he hit the side netting.
The Eagles’ initial control was at long last compensated through Iheanacho on 30 minutes. The Leicester City forward controlled Aribo’s header with his thigh prior to releasing a splendid left-foot volley into the top corner.
In the 38th moment, Awoniyi nearly multiplied the Eagles’ lead after he was played on by Iheanacho following a quick break, yet the Union Berlin striker’s styler was not to the point of disturbing the Egyptian guardian.
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A moment later Ndidi went close with a low left foot strike near the edge of the Egyptian box yet his work went askew.
In the final part, the Eagles proceeded from where they halted in the primary half and nearly multiplied their lead through Awoniyi however his header from a tight point was palmed on to the bar by the Egyptian attendant.
Iheanacho ought to have gotten his second objective on 57 minutes however neglected to control a pass with the objective at his benevolence.
The Egyptians came out for the adjuster and went close after a cross yet William Troost-Ekong made opportune freedom.
Iheanacho had one more open door on 65 minutes yet could see as the side net.
In the 71st moment, Salah nearly drew his side level after he beat the offside snare yet Okoye saved with his feet.
Also, three minutes of added time Ejuke would have made it 2-0, yet his work was obstructed for a corner.
The Eagles will get back to activity on Saturday, January 15 against Sudan while Egypt will fight Guinea-Bissau that very day.
MATCH STATS
NIGERIA 1 – 0 EGYPT
Scorer: Kelechi Iheanacho 30′
Scene: Roumde Adjia Stadium, Garoua
Arbitrator: Bakary Papa Gassama (Gambia)
Read also: AFCON 2021: Leicester City Lauds Iheanancho’s Goal Against Egypt
Setups:
NIGERIA:
Maduka Okoye (Gk) – Ola Aina, Kenneth Omeruo (6-Semi Ajayi, 79th), William Troosy-Ekong (Capt.), Zaidu Sanusi, Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Kelechi Iheanacho (25-Kelechi Nwakali, 79th min), Moses Simon (18 – Alex Iwobi, 90th min), Samuel Chukwueze (13-Chidera Ejuke, 71st min.), Taiwo Awoniyi (24-Sadiq Umar, 71st min)
Subs Not Used: Daniel Akpeyi
Francis Uzoho,Tyronne Ebuehi, Henry Onyekuru, Ahmed Musa, Frank Onyeka, Olisa Ndah
Coach: Augustine Eguavoen
EGYPT:
Mohamed El Shenawi (Gk) – Akram Tawfik (2 – M. Abdelmoneim, eleventh min.), A.A. El Fotouh (12-Ayman Ashraf, 46th min.), M. El Wensa (9 Mohamed Sherif, 90th min), Ahmed Hegazy, Mohamed Elneny, Hamdi Fathi, Omar Marmoush, Trezeguet ( 21-Zizo 58th min), Mohamed Salah (Capt.), Mostafa Mohamed (23-Mohamed Sobhi 58th min.)
Subs Not Used: Omar Kamal, Emam Ashour, Ramadan Sobhi, Mohanad Lasheen, Abdalla El Said, Mahmoud Alaa El-Din
Coach: Carlos Queiro
