Group D opened with two of the continent’s elite clashing – Nigeria took on Egypt at Stade Omnisport Roumdé Adjia in Garoua. In quite a one-sided performance, the West Africans started their 19th AFCON appearance with three points, defeating Mohamed Salah & Co – final score 1-0.Three-time competition winners Nigeria showed more determination start to finish and continued their fine form which stretches back from their recent World Cup Qualification group after winning four of their six matches.New manager Augustine Eguavoen saw his squad energetic and covering the pitch in a more sensible way than their north African opponents.It took almost half-hour before the first massive opportunity happened – Nantes winger Moses Simon received a brilliant pass in the 27th minute but wasted quite a chance as his shot from inside the penalty area flew narrowly wide of the left post.But only three minutes later – the Super Eagles were ahead, thanks to their Premier League star striker Kelechi Iheanacho. Leicester City striker caught a precise pass inside the box from Glasgow Rangers man Joe Aribo and sent the ball behind Mohamed El Shenawy with a brilliant shot into the top right corner.🚨⚽️ | Iheanacho draws first blood for Nigeria vs Egypt! What a goal! pic.twitter.com/UGc8A1b6L2— Football For You (@FootbaIlForYou) January 11, 2022 The 2019 bronze medalists continued being the more up-beat side as the Pharaoh did not show any sign of a comeback after they conceded. None of the passes directed to Salah were usable enough to bring the Egyptians close to leveling the score.The second half showed a bit more lively Egypt. Their manager, Portuguese Carlos Queiroz surely had a speech in the dressing room but there was just not enough intensity coming from his men to respond.Nigeria did not lose their approach and they kept showing more confidence. In the 48th minute, Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi connected with a cross but only planted his header onto the bar.Liverpool superstar Salah had his only attempt in the 71st minute – he ran with the ball towards Maduka Okoye and pulled the trigger from close range, but the Nigerian keeper anticipated his intention and made an amazing save to stop the shot going low into the middle of the target.FT | Nigeria 🇳🇬 1-0 🇪🇬 Egypt✅ Nigeria go top of Group D✅ Iheanacho is the bomb✅ Moses still tormenting the Pharaohs 🇪🇬 #GOALAfrica #Afcon2021 pic.twitter.com/9WKHHMD0pZ— GOAL Africa (@GOALAfrica) January 11, 2022 Soon after the Super Eagles tried again via Chidera Ejuke but his shot was stopped by El Shenawy, who made a comfortable save.Record-holding Egypt (seven AFCON titles) looked like they did not have the plan for how to avoid defeat. Even though the last couple of minutes were mostly staged around Nigeria’s goal, there were no palpable chances created by the Pharaohs.They could have even conceded their second in the 93rd minute – Ejuke took the ball in his own half, brought it to the opponent’s box but his low drive to the right post was smartly dealt with by El Shenawy.Before today’s defeat as part of group D, Egypt were unbeaten in each of their last 16 group matches at AFCON. Their last defeat in the group phase dates back to the 2004 tournament.AFRICA CUP OF NATIONSGroup ETuesdayAlgeria – Sierra Leone 0-0
Group DNigeria – Egypt 1-0 (1-0)/Iheanacho 30/22.00: Sudan – Guinea Buissau