Pharaohs rout Nigeria Super eagles

Jan 12, 2010

BENGUELA - Defending champions Egypt defeated Nigeria 3-1 in their opening Africa Cup of Nations Group C match at the Ombaka Stadium here on Tuesday.<br>

Egypt 3 Nigeria 1
Today, UBC, SS3
Cameroon v Gabon 7pm
Zambia v Tunisia 9:30pm

BENGUELA - Defending champions Egypt defeated Nigeria 3-1 in their opening Africa Cup of Nations Group C match at the Ombaka Stadium here on Tuesday.

The six-time champions brought to an end a 23-year-old winless run against the west Africans and, most importantly, got a head start to progress to the knockout stage of the tournament.

Obasi strikes

Nigeria took the lead after 14 minutes through the exciting Chinedu Obasi (inset), who powered home a left-footed rocket of a shot from outside the box beyond a diving goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary.

Emad Motaeb drew Egypt level in the 33rd minute when he got to the end of a quick counter attack initiated by Wael Gomaa and skipper Ahmed Hassan to round goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and slot the ball into an empty net.

Hassan gave the champions the lead in the 54th minute when he thundered home a blinder past Enyeama from outside the 18-yard box which did take a deflection off Taye Taiwo.
Mohamed Nagi completed the demolition job when he drove home a pile driver for the third goal to the delight of the 32,000-strong crowd.

Zidan misses

Before that Mohamed Zidan should have extended Egypt’s lead on the hour mark when all alone with Enyeama inside the box, but he blasted wide.

Obasi, a late inclusion in the Super Eagles squad, was at the heart of several Nigerian attacks against an Egyptian team missing key stars like Mohamed Aboutrika, Mohamed Barakat and Amr Zaki through injury.

Zidan would have put the defending champions in front after seven minutes but his final shot sailed over the bar with goalkeeper Enyeama beaten.

And immediately after Obasi’s stunning opening goal, Said Moawad would have drawn Egypt level but he sliced his final effort off target.On 23 minutes, Borussia Dortmund striker Zidan again threatened the Nigerian goal but his low shot went out to the relief of Enyeama.

Penalty appeal rejected

Yakubu Aiyegbeni had a penalty appeal refused by Mauritius referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn, in the 20th minute after Egyptian defender Mahmoud Fathalla handled the ball inside the box.

And moments later, Kalu Uche fired wide from inside the area.

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