Afcon 2021: Kelechi Iheanacho goal sees Nigeria sink Egypt

2 years ago 34

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Kelechi Iheanacho was on target as Nigeria comfortably beat seven-time champions Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener.

The Leicester City striker opened the scoring in the 30th minute, burying a stunning half-volley on the turn.

Nigeria dominated throughout, with Egypt keeper Mohamed El Shenawy tipping a Taiwo Awoniyi header on to the bar and twice denying Chidera Ejuke.

The Pharaohs offered little in response after falling behind in Garoua.

Iheanacho soars for Super Eagles

Iheanacho's performance up front will be a welcome relief to Super Eagles supporters, with fellow Nigeria strikers Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis and Odion Ighalo all forced out of the squad for Cameroon.

The Foxes man impressed throughout the first half, feeding in Awoniyi who saw a tame effort saved shortly before the break.

Nigeria, three-time African champions, continued to push for a second after half-time with El Shenawy twice keeping out substitute Chidera Ejuke in the closing stages.

Ultimately though one goal was enough for the West Africans, lead by interim manager Augustin Eguavoen with new boss Jose Peseiro only observing from the stands.

The Super Eagles had sacked long-serving boss Gernot Rohr just four weeks before the tournament following an underwhelming World Cup qualification campaign.

Pharaohs fall flat in opener

Egypt were lacklustre for much of the proceedings, managing just one shot in the opening 70 minutes.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who has reaffirmed his desire to stay at Anfield, repeatedly found himself isolated up front as Nigeria dictated the match's tempo.

The forward was played through by substitute Ahmed Sayed with 20 minutes remaining but his mishit shot was saved by the legs of Nigeria keeper Maduka Okoye.

Nigeria will face Sudan in Group D on Saturday (16:00 GMT), while Egypt take on Guinea-Bissau (19:00 GMT).

Line-ups

Nigeria

Formation 4-2-2-2

1Okoye
2Aina
5Troost-Ekong
22OmeruoSubstituted forAjayiat 79'minutes
12Sanusi
10Aribo
4Ndidi
17ChukwuezeSubstituted forEjukeat 72'minutes
15SimonSubstituted forIwobiat 90+1'minutes
14IheanachoSubstituted forNwakaliat 80'minutes
19AwoniyiSubstituted forSadiqat 72'minutes

Substitutes

6Ajayi
7Musa
8Onyeka
11Onyekuru
13Ejuke
16Akpeyi
18Iwobi
21Ebuehi
23Uzoho
24Sadiq
25Nwakali
26Ndah

Egypt

Formation 4-3-3

1Gomaa
25El HagrasiSubstituted forAbdelmonem Elsayed Mohamed Ahmedat 12'minutes
6Hegazy
15HamdiSubstituted forMohamed Ragaei Bakrat 90'minutes
13MohamedSubstituted forAshrafat 45'minutes
7TrézéguetSubstituted forSayedat 58'minutes
5Abdul Fattah
17Elneny
14Ahmed AbdallahSubstituted forSobhiat 58'minutes
10Salah
22Marmoush

Substitutes

2Abdelmonem Elsayed Mohamed Ahmed
3Abdel Wahed
8Abdelghany
9Mohamed Ragaei Bakr
11Sobhi
12Ashraf
18Ahmed Abdelmonem
19Bekhit
20Eldin Mahmoud Ibrahim
21Sayed
23Daader
24Ahmed

Live Text

Match ends, Nigeria 1, Egypt 0.
Second Half ends, Nigeria 1, Egypt 0.
Mohamed Elneny (Egypt) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Umar Sadiq (Nigeria).
Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Mohamed El Shenawy.
Attempt saved. Chidera Ejuke (Nigeria) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kelechi Nwakali.
Corner, Egypt. Conceded by Alexander Iwobi.
Substitution, Nigeria. Alexander Iwobi replaces Moses Simon.
Attempt missed. Zizo (Egypt) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Mohamed Abdelmonem.
Substitution, Egypt. Mohamed Sherif replaces Mahmoud Hamdi El Wensh.
Corner, Egypt. Conceded by Ola Aina.
Ramadan Sobhi (Egypt) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Ola Aina (Nigeria).
Foul by Ayman Ashraf (Egypt).
Joe Aribo (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Umar Sadiq (Nigeria).
Ahmed Hegazy (Egypt) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Umar Sadiq (Nigeria).
Attempt missed. Ahmed Hegazy (Egypt) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high following a corner.