• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Features AFCON 2021

Nigeria’s Super Eagles fly past Egypt in opening Afcon encounter

11 January 2022, 8:40 PM  |
Sipho Kekana Sipho Kekana |  @SABCNews
People walk up the stands at the Olembe Stadium, which is to host the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in Yaounde, Cameroon January 8, 2022.

People walk up the stands at the Olembe Stadium, which is to host the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in Yaounde, Cameroon January 8, 2022.

Image: Reuters

People walk up the stands at the Olembe Stadium, which is to host the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in Yaounde, Cameroon January 8, 2022.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria got their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over record seven-time Afcon winners, Egypt, who had not lost a group stage match in 18 years. 

A first half goal by Kelechi Iheanacho was the difference in a highly tactical match in which former South African coach, Carlos Queiroz was completely outwitted and seemed not to have answers to bring the high-flying Eagles down. 

Expected to be a thorn to the Nigerian defence, Liverpool striker, Mo Salah was kept quiet for most of the game, which eventually ensure Egypt couldn’t play their game. 

The first half took long to settle with Egypt looking like they would be the dominant side, looking relatively more comfortable on the ball early on, knocking it around while Nigeria largely formed a defensive compact at the back, waiting to catch their opponents on the counter. 

It was Egypt who made their intentions known first in the 5th minute with Mustafa Mohamed flying down the right into the Nigeria penalty box. He fired a shot but it was easily dealt with by goalkeeper Emil Okoye. 

Egypt were forced to make a forced substitution two minutes later when Akram Tawfik seemed to have twisted his knee. 

However, it was completely different ball game the moment Nigeria found their rhythm and their tactics seemed to be more superior with Moses Simon creating problems for The Pharaos down the left channel. 

Several times, Simon showed glimpses of a potential thorn into the Egyptian defence and five minutes before the half hour mark, the FC Nantes forward found himself inside the box. But his shot hit the side of the net from a tight angle.  

Five minutes later the 26-year-old turned provider when he sent in a beautiful cross. Iheanacho brought the ball down under control with a thigh and sent in a powerful left-footed shot past Mohammed El Shenawy into the top corner to put Nigeria in the lead.  

From that moment, Nigeria were in complete control enjoying most of the ball possession. 

Coach Augustine Eguavoen’s approach of defending as a compact seemed to frustrate Queiroz’s men who could only knock the ball around in their own half, unable to find spaces inside the Nigerian half, often being forced to play long to no effect at all. 

There was a roar from the Nigerian fans every time Simon touched the ball and ten minutes before the break he was back down the left flank. But his long cross didn’t find a recipient.  

Egypt seemed to be disjointed in defence leaving Iheanacho mostly roaming unchecked down the centre. As the halftime break neared, the Leicester striker capitalised on break attack with a run down the middle and cleverly waited for support before he released a through pass to Taiwo Awoniyi but El Shenawy had read the ball well and had it covered.  

Moments later, Awoniyi was back in the box but his shot straight to El Shenawy was easily dealth with. 

Nigeria came back from the break even more fired up with Awoyini being denied by the goalpost before Iheanacho also found himself with an opportunity to make it a brace in the 56th minute but his first touch was not as good as the one when he buried the chance in the first half. 

In an attempt to swing the match back in Egypt’s favour, Queiroz made four substitutions. This seemed to  inject new energy into the Egyptian side, but on many occasions the  Egyptians were outnumbered by the Nigerians who defended in numbers. This forced Egypt to keep resorting to ineffective lose balls which only gave away possession to Nigeria. 

Substitute Ahmed Sayed, better known as Zizo seemed to have a good effect. With just less than 30minutes to go he had a great run down the right into the ball with some good footwork to get around Simon who had dropped back to defend, but his final pass failed to find a teammate. 

Quiet for most of the game, it was only in the 70th minute that Salah found himself in a good goalscoring position. Zizo lobbed the ball behind the Nigerian defence line to release Salah into a one-on-one situation with Okoye but his tame shot, with Nigeria defenders breathing down his neck, would not result in a goal. 

But it was back to the land of the dead for Salah who continued to have two or three Nigeria shirts around him preventing him from getting the Pharaos to tick, leaving Queiroz on his feet, twiddling his thumbs on the sideline, looking on without answers through the Super Eagles’ defence.  

Time and again Nigerians continued to waste opportunities to double their lead with Chedira Ejuke’s brilliant counter attack run down the right flank only resulting in his shot from inside the box saved by El Shenawy.  

Before the final whistly the CSKA Moscow left winger paced down the right side but El Shenawy denied the substitute for the second time from closed range, parring the ball out of play. 

The Super Eagle will be inspired by the important victory against one of the favourites going into the next fixtures against Guinea-Bissau and Sudan, while Egypt will need to rethink their tactics if they are to remain as one of the favourites. 

Share article
Previous Post

Stunning Iheanacho strike lifts Nigeria past limp Egypt

Next Post

Eight soldiers in Burkina Faso arrested for alleged plot

Related Posts

France's Antoine Dupont celebrates scoring their third try with teammates, 19 March 2022.

France turn on strong second half showing to overpower Japan

2 July 2022, 11:29 AM
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended its position that it is up to each international sports body to set their own rules for transgender athletes' inclusion following FINA's decision.

Restrictions on transgender athletes violate Olympic Charter – FIMS chief

1 July 2022, 11:55 PM
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 1, 2022 Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. reacts during his third round match against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik REUTERS/Paul Childs

Tiafoe steals the show in Bublik circus act

1 July 2022, 6:19 PM
Foundation's founder and president of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe

Motsepe Foundation new sponsor of SA’s Premier Soccer League’s first division

1 July 2022, 12:18 PM
Formula One world champion and Redbull racing driver, Max Verstappen.

Verstappen now ready to cooperate with Netflix

1 July 2022, 11:35 AM

VIDEO: Motsepe Foundation announces a new partnership with local football

1 July 2022, 11:09 AM
Next Post
Burkina Faso has been battling militant groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State since 2017. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and almost a million displaced by the conflict, which is also affecting neighbours Niger and Mali.

Eight soldiers in Burkina Faso arrested for alleged plot

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges
  • Zulu Royal Palace abuzz as King Misuzulu’s cleansing ceremony continues
  • Limpopo residents concerned about illegal harvesting of the Matumi tree
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

Elon Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, March 22, 2022. Patrick Pleul/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
  • World

Musk breaks silence on Twitter, posts a picture with the pope


A man with luggage walks in the rain on The Bund as Typhoon In-fa approaches Shanghai, China July 25, 2021.
  • Sci-tech

China lashed by year’s first typhoon, record rains forecast


France's Antoine Dupont celebrates scoring their third try with teammates, 19 March 2022.
  • Sport

France turn on strong second half showing to overpower Japan


Image: SAPS
An image of a gavel and handcuffs.
  • South Africa

40-year-old gets Life sentence for murdering a car dealership owner’s son


Jacob Zuma

Image: Reuters

Former RSA President Jacob Zuma.
  • South Africa

DA: Fraser was not permitted to grant Zuma’s medical parole


South African rand notes.
  • Business

R3.4-billion voluntarily returned by employers who were TERS beneficiaries: UIF


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Stunning Iheanacho strike lifts Nigeria past limp Egypt
Next Eight soldiers in Burkina Faso arrested for alleged plot