Kelechi Iheanacho’s stunning first-half goal gave Nigeria a well-deserved 1-0 win over Egypt to kick off Group D in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria should have added to their lead when Taiwo Awoniyi struck the bar.
After a slow start to the game, the Leicester forward slammed home a shot from inside the area in the first-half from Joe Aribo’s headed knock-down, as the Super Eagles recorded the sixth 1-0 victory in the first eight matches of this tournament.
[videopress gL946k7R hd=”true” autoplay=”true”]
It was a very disappointing night for the Liverpool winger, Mohammed Salah, who barely got in the game in Garoua; but the 29-year-old did have a golden chance to level when he went through one-on-one after half-time, but saw his effort saved.
Nigeria then took control of the match, with left-winger Moses Simon of French side Nantes impressing most on the wing. The 26-year-old found some space in the box later in the first-half but could only hit the side-netting in one of the best opportunities of the opening period.
