Egypt make winning start to defence of title

Egypt 3 Nigeria 1:EGYPT MADE a winning start to the defence of their African Nations Cup crown with an impressive fightback in Group C.

The holders went behind in the 12th minute when Chinedu Obasi Ogbuke scored against the run of play.

Egypt equalised through Emad Moteab, however, before Ahmed Hassan’s deflected effort completed an impressive turnaround for Hassan Shehata’s side. Substitute Mohamed Gedo grabbed a late third.

Egypt forced the opening five minutes and Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama had to be alert to deflect Mohamed Zidan’s right-footed shot over after good work by captain Hassan.

The holders were stunned in the 12th minute, however, when Nigeria took the lead in style.

Picking up the ball on the right, Obasi was allowed to cut inside and force his way to the edge of the area. With the Egyptian defenders backing off, Obasi rifled a left-footed shot beyond a helpless Essam El Hadary to give his side the lead with their first real foray forward.

Left-back Hany Said fired off target at the other end while Ayegbeni Yakubu appealed in vain for a penalty after seeing a cross blocked by an unwitting Egyptian arm. Seconds later Kala Uche blasted a loose ball over when he should have done better.

Another first-time effort by Uche went wide at one end before Egypt raced to the other and got their 35th-minute equaliser.

Breaking forward, Moteab – a virtual spectator until that point – caught Joseph Yobo napping from Hassan’s ball and stayed onside, evading the goalkeeper Enyeama to calmly slot home the leveller.

Hassan then turned the game on its head by putting Egypt ahead in the 54th minute. Zidan held the ball up expertly before laying it back to his captain, whose powerful, right-footed effort deflected off Taye Taiwo and into the net.

Egypt were still enjoying the better chances, and after Nigeria failed to mount anything like a fightback, the win was wrapped up by Gedo who broke clear and rifled in a low shot three minutes from time.

In the other Group C game, Benin blew a 2-0 lead and a golden chance for a first win in the tournament when they were held 2-2 by fellow underdogs Mozambique.

Benin went 2-0 up in just over 20 minutes but paid dearly for two goalkeeping mistakes against opponents who were also hoping to break their tournament duck.

EGYPT: El Hadari, Fathallah, Said, Moawad, Gomaa, Fathi, Abd Rabou (Gedo 72), Ghaly (El Mohamady 56), Hassan, Zidan (Abdelshafy 84), Moteab. Subs not used: Abdoul-Saoud, Salem, El Sakka, Eid, Tawfik, Shikabala, Raouf, Hamdy, Wahid.

NIGERIA: Enyeama, Yobo, Taiwo, Nwaneri, Mohammed, Mikel (Kanu 79), Yussuf, Uche (Obinna 69), Etuhu, Obasi Ogbuke, Yakubu. Subs not used: Ejide, Apam, Echiejile, Kaita, Martins, Odemwingie, Odiah, Olofinjana, Shittu, Aiyenugbu. Booked: Nwaneri.

Referee: Rajin Seechurn (Mauritius).