Egypt whip Nigeria 3-1 in African Cup
BENGUELA, Angola (AP) — Defending champions Egypt made a strong start to the African Cup of Nations, coming from behind to beat Nigeria 3-1 win in the opening game in Group C.
Meanwhile, Benin earned their first tournament point in a 2-2 draw with Mozambique, also yesterday.
Having failed to qualify for the World Cup — losing to Algeria in a playoff — Egypt are eager to impress in Angola and showed their collective strength with an impressive fightback.
Even without several key players they outclassed a stubborn Nigeria as they began their campaign to take an unprecedented third straight African Cup title.
Egypt have won the tournament a record six-times.
In a much-anticipated clash between two powerhouses of African football, both teams started nervously before Borussia Dortmund striker Mohamed Zidan struck a powerful right-footed shot that Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama had to palm away in the fifth minute.
World Cup qualifiers Nigeria, looking to win their third title, took the lead in the 12th minute when Hoffenheim striker Chinedu Obasi turned his defender on the right flank before beating Egypt ‘keeper Essam Al Hadary with a superb shot into the far corner.
Nigeria had another clear-cut chance in the 20th minute after Marseille defender T Zidan could have levelled the game three minutes later, but his right-footed strike was just wide.
Egypt, who have won the biennial tournament a record six times but haven’t played in a World Cup since 1990, equalised after Meteab, taking advantage of some confusion in the Nigerian defence, collected a through ball from Hassan and rounded Enyeama just outside the box before shooting into an empty net.
The goal left Nigeria stunned and Shuaibu Amodou’s team struggled to regain their composure.
Hassan then put the defending champions ahead with a 20-metre deflected drive into the top-right corner after being set up by a perfectly weighted ball from Zidan in the 55th minute.
Egypt then had two great chances to increase their lead when unmarked Everton defender Meteab fluffed his shot from close range in the 60th and then Zidan forced Enyeama to make a great diving save two minutes later.
But substitute Mohammed Naguy sealed the victory with a low shot in the 87th after a swift counter attack.