Soccer

Kelechi Iheanacho’s superb strike sees Nigeria see off Egypt in opener

Africa Cup of Nations round-up: Holders Algeria held to surprise draw by Sierra Leone

Nigeria striker Iheanacho Kelechi celebrates after scoring in the Africa Cup of Nations match against Egypt at Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon. Photograph: Samuel Shivambu/EPA

Tue Jan 11 2022 - 16:48

Nigeria 1 Egypt 0

Kelechi Iheanacho’s excellent first-half goal handed Nigeria a deserved 1-0 victory over a below-par Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash in Garoua, Cameroon on Tuesday.

The Leicester City striker crashed a half-volley from the edge of the box into the top corner after 30 minutes to settle the contest, but Nigeria should have added at least a couple more goals in what was the best performance by a team in the finals so far and a warning to their rivals.

Egypt failed to shift out of first gear and could not get talisman forward Mohamed Salah into the game as he cut an isolated figure up front, starved of service and the quality around him to have an influence.

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Egypt were unsettled by the early loss of right back Akram Tawfik to injury inside the first 10 minutes and he appeared in some distress as he was helped off the pitch.

His absence meant Nigeria found plenty of joy down that flank, with the electric Moses Simon profiting and a constant worry for the Egyptians.

Simon had the first sight of goal as he found space in the box, but as the angle narrowed, could only fire into the side-netting.

But shortly afterwards Nigeria were in front and again the move started with him. Iheanacho provided the sublime finish that left Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shennawy with no chance.

Any time the ball went near Salah he was surrounded by two or three defenders, but Egypt were not able to work the space that Nigeria’s doubling up on their lead forward provided them.

Nigeria hit the crossbar early in the second period when Taiwo Awoniyi’s close-range header was turned onto the frame of the goal by El Shennawy, before Iheanacho fluffed a superb chance to double the advantage as the ball fell to him in acres of space in the box, but a poor first touch let him down.

Salah finally got a sight of goal on 70 minutes but, under pressure from two defenders and the goalkeeper, could not get any power into his effort.

Nigeria continued to look the most likely to score and the pace of their wingers and full backs stretched the more pedestrian Egyptians on a number of occasions.

Sierra Leone’s goalkeeper Mohamed Nbalie Kamara and defender Steven Caulker react after the draw against Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations at Stade Japoma in Douala, Cameroon. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0

Holders Algeria were held to a surprise goalless draw by Sierra Leone as they made an uninspiring start to the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title in Douala on Tuesday.

Algeria were expected to get their Group E campaign at the tournament in Cameroon off to an easy start against minnows Sierra Leone, who were returning to the tournament for the first time since 1996.

But it proved a brave showing by the west Africans as they clung on for a point in sweltering heat in the port city.

Algeria came close to opening the score in the second minute as Riyad Mahrez fed his former Leicester City team-mate Islam Slimani, who went round the Sierra Leone goalkeeper but ran out of room to try and find the target from a tight angle.

But Sierra Leone quickly showed they would prove no easy walkover as they came storming back down the other end and were close to scoring through Alhaji Kamara’s sixth-minute effort.

Kamara went close with a header midway through the first half from a free-kick as Algeria struggled in the heat.

Yacine Brahimi had two chances after the break to put the Algerians in the lead as they began to exert their authority, with Mahrez at the heart of their attacking moves.

His ball set Brahimi in on goal in the 52nd minute but the veteran midfielder scuffed his shot and allowed goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara to make a one-handed stop and gather at the second attempt.

Brahimi’s second chance came on the hour mark but the shot was hit straight at Kamara.

Sierra Leone’s new cap Steven Caulker, the one-time capped former England international who switched allegiance of the eve of the tournament, then made a vital block to deny substitute Sofiane Bendebka seven minutes later.

Caulker, who struggled with cramp late in the game, again denied him some 10 minutes later with another important intervention.

Mahrez’s 80th-minute effort was turned around the corner by Kamara and five minutes later substitute Said Benrahma missed a good opportunity as Algeria frustration continued amid a frenzied late finish that failed to produce a victory.

The result did, however, extend Algeria’s unbeaten run to 35 matches, putting them within touching distance of the record of 37 undefeated internationals in a row set by European champions Italy last year.

Sudan 0 Guinea-Bissau 0

Sudan goalkeeper Ali Abou Achrine saved a late penalty to ensure they secured a 0-0 draw with Guinea Bissau in Garoua in an inauspicious start for both sides.

Achrine had little difficulty pushing away a poorly taken kick by midfielder Pele and then watching as the follow-up from Piqueti cannoned back off the crossbar.

The goalkeeper turned from villain to hero after having brought down Steve Ambri to give away the spotkick with some eight minutes left of a tepid tussle between two of the tournament’s lesser lights.

A minute later Guinea Bissau striker Frederic Mendy had a powerful shot cleared off the line as Sudan held on for a share of the spoils in the Group D encounter.