In their opening match of the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigerian team, the Super Eagles humiliated their opponents, the Pharaohs of Egypt by a lone goal scored by Kelechi Iheanacho at the 30minutes of play.
The two team didn’t disappoint football fans who had earlier rated the match to be one of the toughest matches in this competition. The second true heavyweight match of the Africa Cup of Nations saw Nigeria take firm control of Group D with a 1-0 victory over Mohamed Salah and Egypt.
The first tough match in the ongoing competition was played on Monday between Morocco and Ghana, the Atlas Lions went away with a 1-0 victory. Today, nother 1-0 result in this AFCON tournament results in a deserved victory for the Super Eagles, who were simply the better side. A structured Nigeria side comprehensively made Mohamed Salah a shadow of himself and nobody else on Egypt stepped up.
All things being equal, the two teams are most likely to progress from Group D regardless of today’s result, but Nigeria’s victory sets the Super Eagles up nicely for a better Round of 16 matchup and a deep run deep in the tournament, while Egypt will feel added pressure in its other group stage matches against Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.
Moses Simon of Nigeria was easily the Man of the Match, with a blistering performance down the left flank. The Super Eagles have one foot in the knockout stage with the early haymaker.
At halftime, Nigeria had already leading with 1-0, the opening 45 minutes proved Nigeria to be the better side. Moses Simon caused all kinds of problems down the left flank, helped by an early injury to Egypt right-back Akram Tawfik. A fantastic first half for the Super Eagles who see themselves in front.
Mohamed Salah was nowhere to be found. The Liverpool forward made just five successful passes in the entire first half, with four of those coming in his own half of the pitch. The Pharoahs have no answer when the opponent double- and triple-teams its star man. Big changes need at halftime to break down a well-organized Nigerian side.
At 30th minute of play, Nigeria scored the lone goal of the match. A deserved goal comes off the left foot of Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho who RIPS a shot into the top-right corner, unsaveable for Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawi. It started again with Simon down the left, and Egypt’s clearance only reached Joe Aribo who headed down to Iheanacho. The Foxes frontman did really well, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turning to his left and rippling the net with a powerful effort.
