AFCON2021 : Nigeria overcome Egypt,Sierra Leone hold champions Algeria to goalless draw
Nigeria emerged victorious over the Pharaohs of Egypt as the two nations faced off in their opening Group D game in the on-going African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
The Super Eagles were in imperious form against the top favorites Egypt, stunning them to a 1-0 defeat last Tuesday in Roumdé Adjia Stadium.
The two sides presented their best performances as anticipated but the Nigerians showed they were no easy push-overs as they dominated the game from the referee’s whistle limiting Egypt to just one shot in the opening hour while forcing goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy into several saves.
Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho scored the all important goal on the half hour mark to give the Super Eagles the lead before the first break.
Nigeria spurned a number of chances to go ahead in the second, with Al Ahly keeper denying Chidera Ejuke twice before pushing Taiwo Awoniyi’s header against the frame of his goal as the 2013 champions push for the goal.
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah made efforts to salvage a point for his side but the former African Player of the Year was put on tight check by the Super Eagles.
The Nigerians deserved victory over the flat Pharoahs who struggled to create any meaningful opportunity.
Nigeria’s next game is against Sudan on Saturday.
Sudan and Guinea-Bissau draw in Garoua
Sudan and Guinea–Bissau shared the points in Africa Cup of Nations Group D as a low-scoring tournament continued with a stalemate in Garoua.
Midfielder Pele had the chance to decide the match from 12 yards in the final ten minutes, but was denied by Ali Abdalla in the Sudan goal, before Toni Silva struck the bar following up.
Sierra Leone frustrate holders Algeria to 0-0 stalemate
In other Group E game underdogs Sierra Leone stunned reigning champions Algeria to 0-0 draw in their opening game in Douala.
The North African side struggled to break down one of the tournament’s rank outsiders.
Sierra Leone missed some chances which could have aided them a win in the first half.
After the break, Kei Kamara was whistled for offside when he thought he had opened the scoring.
Qatar-based winger Yacine Brahimi also missed the holders’ best chance early in the second half.
Algeria extends their remarkable unbeaten run in competitive action to 35 games following the 0-0 stalemate against Leone Stars , but it also means their chief Group E rivals Ivory Coast can seize the initiative by beating Equatorial Guinea at the same venue on Wednesday.
