Deafeted By The Pharaohs

Super Eagles Subs: Elderson Echiejile, Kelechi Iheanacho, Azubuike Okechukwu , Moses Simon, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Ogenyi Onazi, Alex Iwobi

Egypt make two changes to their starting lineup: Shennawy; Gaber, Rabia, Hegazy, Tolba; Ibrahim Salah, Elneny; Abdallah El-Said, Ramadan Sobhy, Salah; Marwan Mohsen

18:00: The Super Eagles and the Pharaohs set to come out from the tunnel as the referees lead the way.

18:15: The temperature in Alexandria is 16 degrees Celsius and the pitch is in immaculate condition. In the last 15 minutes, Egypt almost got the lead Ahmed Hegazy heads narrowly wide as Mohamed Salah’s cross from the right. Egypt has got the brightest chances of the match but the Eagles are not doing badly so far.

18:22: Match looks balanced as both sides make successive failed attempts to net a goal. First yellow card goes to Egypt’s Ibrahim Sallah after a rough tackle against Mikel Obi.

18:29: The Eagles are looking better in today’s match bit the Egyptians also appear tougher, crowding out every Eagle with the ball while creating bright chances up front. Egypt Captain El-Said close to giving the Pharaohs the lead but goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi gets a slight touch to the ball to force a corner kick.

18:30: 30 minutes played. It is still Egypt 0-0 Nigeria. Nigeria seem to have risen into the match with slightly higher possession in the last 10 minutes.

18:36: The Egyptians are fighting hard to keep the Nigerians at bay with most of its players, while retaining two strikers upfront for an opportunity to counter attack. A cornerkick , a great header but the Nigerian goalie stepped in to stop the Egyptians from going one up.

18:41 So far, the Egyptians have had more shots on target. Akpeyi doing well in goal for Nigeria. He saves on Ibrahim Salah and Rami Rabia in the span of two minutes.

18:45 In the last three minutes, two Nigerian players have received yellow cards for fouls on the Egyptians.

18:46 First Half ends after a minute added time Egypt 0-0 Nigeria. It was similar scoreline in Kaduna during the first leg.

Egypt 0-0 Nigeria | First match analysis

The Pharaohs started with intent and had two attempts on target but Daniel Akpeyi made two very good saves to keep the Eagles in the game. The attacking nous for the Eagles was almost non-existent in the first half as Odion Ighalo was most often left alone in attack. The Watford front man had a chance in the 15th minute when he chested a ball from Shehu Abdullahi but with no pressure, he blazed his shot wide.
Samson Siasia needs to bring in a more offensive player that would play closer to Ighalo and open up the Egyptian defence.

46″ Second half begins with an Egyptian strike that went wide. Ball was set for the Egyotian striker in Nigeria’s 18-yard box by the Nigerian defenders. Egypt came out of the dressing room hot. Meanwhile, Siasia made his first change, brings in Elderson Echiejile for Stanley Amuzie.

52″ Etebo drives in but takes a feeble shot at the end EGY 0-0 NIG. Eagles have quickly found their feet but the fear of Salah will be the beginning of wisdom for the Eagles. While the Eagles seem good from midfield back, upfront, attack, seems weak. Moses has been forced to dribble from the Nigerian side up to the fringes of the Egyptian 18 before taking a weak shot at goal, rather than pass to the strikers than flanked him in the run.

59″ The last time Nigeria beat Egypt in a competitive game was 26 years ago. Time ticking away for the Eagles to break that jinx and get their AFCON qualification hopes back on track.

64″ Goal. Egypt scrambles a goal in. Egypt 1-0 Nigeria. RAMADAN SOBHY gave Egypt the lead. Ramadan Sobhi pounced on a loose ball inside the area with a right-footed shot that deceived the keeper and rolls into the net!

72″ Before that goal, Etebo fell hard on his back, off an aerial contest with an Egyptian player. He got medical attention, but that didn’t seem enough. He was wheeled out and Azubieke came in for him. Less than two minutes after he left, the goal went in.

76″ Substitution for Egypt: Amr Gamal replaces Marwan Mohsen. Iwobi brought in for Aminu Umar as Nigeria attempts to savage this game, but the Egyptians still pressing for more goals.

78″ Nigeria wins a cornerkick off an Ighalo strike. If Nigeria scores in this match, it will be hard worn and would require great creativity. They are marked out by the Egyptians.

80″ Last SUB for Egypt: Mahmoud Trezeguet replaces goalscorer Ramadan Sobhy.

82″ Thunderous shot from Victor Moses hits the upright and out!! Moses was this unlucky in Kaduna.

87″ Victor Moses is the star of the Nigeria side. He was brought down on the left flank of the Egyptian 18 yard box. he took the freekick, a glimmer of hope, the Egyptians latched on it for a counter, but the goal line still remained the same.

91″ Four minutes added time at the Borg El Arab stadium, Alexnadria but the Eagles look set to miss the 2017 AFCON yet again. As usual, the Eagles have just won their hustle caps, trying to pick all advantages.

FULL TIME: Nigeria is out of AFCON. They may have lost, but these team looks like the best we’ve had in recent years. What’s your take?