A Kelechi Iheanacho 30th minute volley handed Nigeria a deserved victory over Egypt in their group stage encounter at the ongoing 33rd Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday in Garoua, Cameroon.
The West African side were dominant and impressive throughout the game as Liverpool’s danger man Mohammed Salah was comfortably ticked out that nobody else stepped up to rescue Egypt from their first-ever defeat in an AFCON group game.
Prior to the encounter, Egypt’s last defeat in the group phase dates back to the 2004 tournament when they lost 2-1 against Algeria.
Moses Simon had delivered a perfect cross into the penalty box which was headed by Hegazi but not far from Joe Aribo, who headed it into Kelechi Iheanacho’s path with the Leicester City man taking a smart shot that beat Mohamed El-Shenawy in Egypt’s goal to break the deadlock for the Nigerians.
With the win, Nigeria lead the way in Group D while Egypt take to the Bottom of the table with the outcome of the game between Guinea Bissau and Sudan undecided.
Earlier today, holders Algeria were held to a surprise goalless draw by Sierra Leone in a Group E fixture as they made an uninspiring start to the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title in Douala.
Although, the result did, however, extend Algeria’s unbeaten run to 35 matches, putting them within touching distance of the record of 37 undefeated internationals in a row set by European champions Italy last year.
