Nigeria and Leicester City Kelechi Iheanacho’s 30th minute goal, sank seven-time champions Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener. The stunning half-volley on the turn settled the match.
Nigeria dominated the game throughout and could have added more goals, but for saves from Egyptian keeper Mohamed El Shenawy, saving Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin) point blank header on to the bar and twice denying Chidera Ejuke (plies his trade with CSKA Moscow).
Moses Simon dominates
Egyptian Manager Carlos Queiroz said his team didn’t get their tactics right. Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah, hardly touched the ball and had only one chance, late in the second half.
Nante and Nigeria striker Moses Simon, tormented the Egyptians on the left flank, which eventually resulted in Iheanacho’s well taken goal.
Nigeria’s interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen got his tactics right against Egypt with a mindset of playing every game as if it were a final. In a post-match interview, Eguavoen said “Pulling up a win against Egypt was a surprise to many people but that was not a surprise to us. “We respected them and we put in all our best to secure the victory.
“This game is gone and we’ve forgotten about it and we will focus on our next game”. Nigeria will face Sudan in their next game and final game of Group D, against Guinea Bissau.
