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CAMEROON. —Nigeria claimed a key win to open their Group D campaign at the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations, as they defeated Egypt 1-0 at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua yesterday evening.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game as the Super Eagles secured a deserved win, having been the more proactive and cohesive team throughout the 90 minutes. The Pharaohs struggled to gain any traction in their tournament opener, with star man Mohamed Salah left isolated and frustrated by a lack of attacking rhythm from the team in red and white.
Egypt created the first scoring chance, with forward Mostafa Mohamed finding space down the right of the penalty area, but his low shot from a tight angle was smothered by Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in the sixth minute.
The North Africans then suffered an early injury blow when Akram Tawfik twisted his knee in a challenge with Moses Simon and had to be replaced by Mohamed Abdel Monem in just the 12th minute.
Nigeria gradually began to seize control of proceedings and created their first clear chance on 26 minutes, with Joe Aribo’s well-weighted pass giving Simon a sight of goal from the left of the penalty area, but the winger could only direct his shot into the side netting. Yet the Super Eagles didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal: on the half-hour mark Aribo latched onto a poor clearance on the edge of the penalty area and headed sideways to Kelechi Iheanacho, who controlled with one touch before firing an unstoppable left-footed half-volley into the top corner. Nigeria had further attacking forays in the remainder of the first half, including a shot from Wilfred Ndidi which flashed just wide, but the score remained 1-0 in favour of the West Africans heading into the interval.
Nigeria picked up in the second stanza where they left off in the first, nearly doubling their advantage just three minutes after the restart when Ola Aina’s cross from the right by-line was headed on target by Taiwo Awoniyi. — Supersport.
Online Reporter