JAKARTA - Kelechi Iheanacho led the Nigerian national team to beat Egypt 1-0 in the opening match of Group D of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations at the Roumde Adjia Stadium, Garoua, Cameroon, Tuesday local time.
As quoted from Antara, Wednesday, the Leicester City striker scored his goal in the 30th minute with a left-foot flick to complete Joe Aribo's header.
Egypt was actually more dominant in possession over Nigeria with a ratio of 56 to 44, but their attacks were dull in the final third.
Even throughout the match, Egypt was only able to release four attempts at shots compared to Nigeria, which aggressively created at least 15 attempted shots.
• No mistakes from #TeamNigeria in their #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 opener. ✅
• #TeamSudan and #TeamGuineaBissau share the spoils. 🤝
Here’s how group D stands after today’s games 👇#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/jkEbbe2YFX
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 11, 2022
Five minutes into the game Egypt had a good chance to open the scoring through Moustafa Mohamed who received a pass from Trezeguet, unfortunately, his shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
On the other hand, Nigeria scored in the 30th minute through Iheanachano just four minutes after Moses Simon had missed the target from a tight angle.
Nigeria came close to doubling their lead three minutes from halftime when Iheanach's cross was cleared by Taiwo Awoniyi, but this time goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy kept Egypt safe.
️📽️ 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 🇳🇬 1-0 🇪🇬
🔥 Here's how both teams kept the thriller going right until the very end! 👇#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #NGAEGY | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/8HFIaKnXG5
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 11, 2022
Egypt created less and less chances in the second half as their attacks were often broken before entering the Nigeria defence.
Mohamed Salah actually got the chance to equalize in the 71st minute, but his shot went straight into Okoye's arms.
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On the other hand, Nigeria also missed a chance to kill the game early when Chidera Ejuke's two shots were saved by El Shenawy.
The two teams will play their second Group D match on Saturday (15/1) at Roumde Adjia when Nigeria faces Sudan followed by Egypt meets Guinea-Bissau.
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