Iheanacho celebrating as his shot beat Egypt's goalkeeper
Super Eagles open 2021 AFCON account on positive note, pip Egypt 1-0, top Group D
Super Eagles of Nigeria opened their 2021 AFCON account with a well-deserved 1-0 victory over the multiple-cup winners, the Pharaohs of Egypt at the Roumde Adjia Stadium, in Garoua, Cameroun, Tuesday evening.
This is also Nigeria now sit atop Group D with 3 points as the other Group D match between Sudan and Guinea Bissau ended in a goalless draw.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s on-target half volley was enough to see Nigeria, the three-time winners of the competition, bag the maximum three points, as his edge of the box strike into the top corner after 30 minutes settled the contest.
The only worry for the Super Eagles was the injury to defender Kenneth Omeruo, who was stretchered off and was replaced by Semi Ajayi.
With a man-of-the-match performance displayed Eagles’ stand-in captain, Trust Ekong held the backline comfortably as he checked Egypt’s dangerman, Mo’ Salah all through the 90 minutes, along with Wilfred Ndidi.
However, despite their dominance in possession, Nigeria should have added at least a couple more goals in what was the best performance by a team in the finals so far and a warning to their rivals.
Egypt failed to shift out of first gear and could not get their talisman forward Mohamed Salah into the game as he cut an isolated figure up front, starved of service and the quality around him to have an influence.
Nigeria hit the crossbar early in the second period when Taiwo Awoniyi’s close-range header was turned on to the frame of the goal by Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shennawy, before Iheanacho fluffed a superb chance to double the advantage as the ball fell to him in acres of space in the box, but a poor first touch let him down.
Salah finally got a sight of goal on 70 minutes but, under pressure from two defenders and the keeper, could not get any power into his effort.
In the other game in Group D, Sudan goalkeeper Ali Abdalla saved an 82nd-minute penalty to ensure they secured a 0-0 draw with Guinea Bissau in Garoua.
Abdalla had little difficulty pushing away a poorly-taken kick by midfielder Pele and then watched as the follow-up from Toni Silva cannoned back off the crossbar.
The goalkeeper turned from villain to hero having brought down Steve Ambri to give away the penalty late on in what was a tepid tussle.
The result means Nigeria top Group D with the maximum three points, while the other teams, Sudan and Guinea Bissau have a point each, while Egypt are pointless after one match each.
The Super Eagles’ next game will come on Saturday as they square up against Sudan, at the Garoua Stadium, while Guinea-Bissau versus Egypt follows same day, and venue in what will be a make or mar encounter and must-win in Group D.
