THE Super Eagles were in impressive form today as they defeated Egypt 1-0 in their opening group match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Garoua, Cameroon.
The Pharaohs had not lost in their last 16 AFCON group matches and had not been defeated in their opening match since 2004.
However, the Nigerians were on the front foot from the start and Kelechi Iheanacho scored the game’s only goal in the first half.
The Leicester City forward struck in the 30th minute with a venomous hit into the roof of the net from Joe Aribo’s knockdown.
The Super Eagles continued to dominate even after the goal, with Simon Moses marauding down the left, Taiwo Awoniyi keeping the Egypt defence busy, and William Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo keeping Mohamed Salah quiet.
The midfield of Wilfred Ndidi and Joe Aribo was also impressive, while Iheanacho popped up in the hole and brilliantly linked up with Awoniyi.
The Super Eagles produced 15 shots on goal, five of them on target, and would have won with a wider margin if they finished better.
Egypt had very little threat all through the match, except for Salah’s chance in the 71st minute when the Liverpool star escaped Nigeria’s offside trap and got a shot away, which was saved by Maduka Okoye’s leg.
There was a scare for the Eagles late in the game when Simon fell into an Egyptian in the Nigeria box.
The referee gave Nigeria the free-kick but there was a little delay when he had to check with VAR to be sure it was not a penalty to Egypt.
Substitute Chidera Ejuke almost made it 2-0 in added time from a breakaway but his finish was parried away by Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
