Football: Soccer-Nigeria put pre-tournament turmoil behind them with Egypt win

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(Reuters) – Nigeria put behind their tumultuous build-up to the Africa Cup of Nations by beating Egypt on Tuesday with a show that despatched out out an early warning to their rivals in Cameroon.

Kelechi Iheanacho struck an outstanding first half end for a 1-0 victory at the beginning of Group D motion in Garoua.

Nigeria had fired coach Gernot Rohr simply weeks earlier than the event, scraped by means of the latest World Cup qualifiers in unconvincing vogue and likewise misplaced key ahead Victor Osimhen to harm. The Nigeria Football Federation additionally didn’t ship out name up letters in time for strikers Emmanuel Dennis and Odion Ighalo, whose golf equipment then refused to relaese them for the event in Cameroon.

But regardless of all of the setbacks, Nigeria gave their supporters a lot to enthuse over with Tuesday’s displaying.

In distinction, it was a disappointing day for the north African heavyweights.

Champions Algeria had been held to a disappointing goalless attract Group E by Sierra Leone, making their return to the finals for the primary time since 1996.

Algeria had a number of possibilities however struggled with the warmth in Douala and failed to interrupt by means of a resolute defence, the place former England worldwide Steven Caulker was making his debut. He switched his worldwide allegiance on the eve of the event.

Sierra Leone president Maadu Bio took to Twitter to precise his delight.

“We are very proud of you, our Leone Stars,” he mentioned.

Iheanacho, who’s now Nigeria’s lead striker for the finals, crashed a half-volley from the sting of the field into the highest nook after half-hour to settle the competition.

However, Nigeria ought to have added at the least a pair extra targets in what was the most effective efficiency by a crew within the finals to date.

Egypt didn’t shift out of first gear and couldn’t get talisman ahead Mohamed Salah into the sport as he reduce an remoted determine up entrance.

“The performance in the first-half was very poor, and that’s the truth, we weren’t on the pitch,” mentioned Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz.

In Tuesday’s different Group D sport, Guinea Bissau and Sudan performed out a goalless draw.

On Wednesday, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast meet in a Group E conflict in Douala. In Group F, Mali tackle Tunisia after which Gambia make their event debut towards Mauritania.

(Editing by xx)



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