Kelechi Iheanacho strike helps Nigeria past below-par Egypt
Kelechi Iheanacho's brilliant first-half goal helped Nigeria win 1-0 over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash in Garoua on Tuesday.
Ihanacho crashed a half-volley into the top corner from the edge of the box after 30 minutes to settle the contest, but Nigeria should have added at least a few more goals to their best performance by a team so far in the final. A warning to rivals.
The Egyptian failed to get out of first gear and could not advance the talismanic Mohamed Salah in the game as he cut a different man from the front, hungry for serve and the quality of his surroundings.
The second game in Group D will be played later on Tuesday when Sudan take on Guinea-Bissau at the same venue.
Egypt was troubled by an injury to right back Akram Tawfiq within the opening 10 minutes and appeared to be in some trouble as he was helped by the pitch.
His absence meant that Nigeria found great joy beneath that edge, profiteering to the power Moses Simon and a constant concern for the Egyptians.
Simon had first sight of the goal as he entered the box, but as the angle narrowed, he could only fire into the side-netting.
But soon after Nigeria came to the fore and started dealing with him again. Iheanacho delivered a fine finish that left no chance for Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawi.
Whenever the ball went to Salah he was surrounded by two or three defenders, but Egypt was not able to work in that spot as Nigeria doubled down on their lead.
Nigeria hit the crossbar at the start of the second period when Taiwo Avoniyi's close-range header was swung into the frame of the goal by El Shennawi before Iheanacho gave a great chance to double the advantage as the ball fell to him in an acre of space. Went. box, but a poor first touch let him down.
Salah finally got sight of the goal on 70 minutes, but under pressure from two defenders and a keeper, his effort could not find any power.
Nigeria continued to be the most likely to score and the pace of their wingers and fullback pulled the Egyptians on more footing on several occasions.