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Nigeria Vs Egypt: Things Fans Need To Know As Super Eagles Clash Pharaohs Today
Coach Augustine Eguavoen and his Tremendous Eagles’ wards face a stern check of their credentials when Nigeria and seven-time champions Egypt go for one another’s jugular within the opening match of Group D of the thirty third Africa Cup of Nations finals on Tuesday.
Venue and time
Venue is the 30,000 –capability Stade Roumdé Adjia within the northern Cameroonian city of Garoua and kick-off is 5pm.
Nigeria, Egypt data
Egypt swept the stakes on the first two editions of Africa’s flagship soccer competitors, in 1957 and 1959, after which gained on house soil in 1986 and in Burkina Faso 12 years later, earlier than a hat-trick of consecutive titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Nigeria soared to glory on house soil in 1980, gained in Tunisia in 1994 and overturned bookmakers’ predictions to triumph in South Africa 9 years in the past.
Earlier encounters
Each groups are usually not unfamiliar to themselves on the AFCON, with the Pharaohs hammering the Eagles 6-3 in Nigeria’s first-ever match on the competitors (in Ghana in 1963) and coming from behind to tame the Eagles 3-1 within the metropolis of Benguela (Angola) in 2010.
In all different confrontations on the Africa Cup of Nations, the Eagles have had the higher hand.
On their march to victory in 1980, the Eagles sailed previous the Pharaohs 1-0 in a gaggle section conflict in Ibadan, and 4 years later, following a pulsating 2-2 attract a semi last match in Bouake (Cote d’Ivoire), Nigeria gained on penalties to achieve the ultimate in opposition to Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions.
In 1990, a lone purpose by Rashidi Yekini consigned the Pharaohs to defeat in a gaggle section match in Algiers, and in 1994, each groups battled to a scoreless draw on the Stade Chadli Zouiten in Tunis.
What Nigerians ought to count on – Eguavoen
Eguavoen, who leads Nigeria from the bench on Tuesday, was concerned in that cagey affair within the chilly of central Tunis, however envisages that there can be nothing cagey about Tuesday’s sport within the sunny ambiance of Stade Roumdé Adjia.
He stated, “I look ahead to an attention-grabbing sport between two bold groups. As I stated a few weeks in the past, we are going to take it one match at a time. For now, we see the conflict with Egypt and all our plan is methods to earn the three factors. The Egyptians are a powerful crew and can include loads of confidence and steam, however we may even be going to the sector with loads of confidence and steam. It’s going to be an attention-grabbing night.”
Osimhen, Ighalo absent
Nigeria are with out high marksman Victor Osimhen, and 2019 AFCON high scorer Odion Ighalo was held again by his Saudi Arabia membership. Nevertheless, the absences create alternatives for numerous younger weapons to make hay at Africa’s grand houseparty.
Gamers to be careful for
Former U-17 star Taiwo Awoniyi is predicted to guide the road and reproduce a few of his efficiency from which German Bundesliga membership Union Berlin is benefitting, with Leicester Metropolis’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Czech Republic -based Peter Olayinka additionally on the road.
Skipper Ahmed Musa and Samuel Chukwueze hit goal within the coaching match with Cameroonian high membership, Cotonsport Garoua on Friday, and there are additionally Greece –primarily based Henry Onyekuru and former Olympics star Sadiq Umar as potentialities within the frontline.
Damage has saved out midfield linchpin Oghenekaro Etebo, however Wilfred Ndidi will nonetheless implement and former U17 World Cup –successful captain Kelechi Nwakali is predicted to step as much as the plate and present muscle within the playmaker’s position.
Defender Leon Balogun’s pressured absence, by way of harm, means Italy-based proper again Tyrone Ebuehi will in all probability begin whereas Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo maintain sway in central, and Portugal –primarily based Zaidu Sanusi will deal with the left again position with the versatile Olaoluwa Aina.
Salah for Egypt
Egypt relies upon closely on Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah, just lately shortlisted for the FIFA Finest Participant award.
Why Nigeria ought to win
Victory on Tuesday night will present confidence increase for the Tremendous Eagles forward of the opposite Group D ties in opposition to Sudan (January 15) and Guinea Bissau (January 19).
