The Super Eagles tonight shot past Egypt courtesy of a superb first-half strike by ‘Seniorman’ Kelechi Iheanacho to get off to a flying start at the AFCON in Cameroon.
The Super Eagles started brightly and on the front foot by the first whistle and were rewarded on the half hour with a superbly struck goal by Kelechi Iheanacho.
The impressive Moses Simon delivered a dangerous cross from the left, which was cleared for Joe Aribo to head into the box for Iheanacho to control and fire an unstoppable shot beyond the Egypt goalkeeper.
It was the Leicester City striker’s first international goal since September 2021 against Liberia in Lagos.
Besides the lively Moses Simon, the strike force of Iheanacho and Taiwo Awonyi troubled the defence of Egypt.
Simon crashed an effort against the side netting in the 26th minute after he was set up by Aribo.
In the 38th minute, Iheanacho put through Awoniyi but the goalkeeper came to the timely rescue with a brave save off the feet of the Union Berlin striker.
Seven-time champions Egypt were disappointing in the first period with a sixth minute chance conjured by Galatasaray striker Mostafa Mohamed but goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was equal to the task.
Otherwise, they hardly threatened the Nigerian goal with captain Mohamed Salah anonymous.
Egypt chased the game late on in the second half.
On 70 minutes, Salah was denied only by the left boot of goalkeeper Okoye as Nigeria continued to hold on to their lead.
Super Eagles vs Egypt (4-4-2):
Maduka Okoye – Zaidu Sanusi, Willim Ekong (Captain), Kenneth Omeruo (Semi Ajayi 79), Ola Aina – Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Moses Simon (Alex Iwobi 90), Samuel Chukwueze (Chidera Ejuke 72) – Kelechi Iheanacho (Kelechi Nwakali 80), Taiwo Awoniyi (Sadiq Umar 72)
