Pharaohs Come Back to Beat Nigeria and Seal Ideal Start

In Group C’s opener, goals from Emad Moteab, Ahmed Hassan and Mohamed ‘Gedo’ Nagy ensured Chinedu Obasi’s early openener accounted for nothing more than a mere consolation.

Both sides started brightly, keeping possession well, but only 12 minutes had passed before Egypt were undone by the pace of Obasi. The young 1899 Hoffenheim striker cut onto his left foot before striking a sweet shot that nestled itself in the back of the net.

From then on nobody really took the game by storm, with both sides unwilling, and seemingly unable, to concede possession. Mohamed Zidan had a decent effort saved by Vincent Enyeama. Meanwhile at the other end, Yakubu had a tame appeal for a penalty for handball turned down.

Moawad and Obasi in one of many physical battles throughout the match

But the Pharaohs were soon back on level terms, when Ahmed Hassan played a beautiful through ball. Motaeb somehow got clear of the Nigeria defence, and took the ball round an onrushing Enyeama before slotting home.

As the interval drew ever nearer, the Super Eagles were beginning to gain the upper hand. Egypt were struggling with the pace of Nigeria’s front line, something which could be a recurring theme throughout the tournament for the Pharaohs. Taye Taiwo looked dangerous when he ventured away from his defensive role, and set up Kalu Uche when the score was 1-0, but the striker shot just wide.

Egypt clearly came out of the break with the more intent of the two sides, and made that start count when captain fantastic Hassan put his side ahead. Zidan showed good vision to lay the ball back to his skipper, who’s brilliantly struck effort deflected off the back of Taiwo before finding the net.

Hassan’s shot takes a telling deflection to put Egypt ahead

The second goal evidently damaged a depleted Nigeria side, as Egypt continued to push high up the pitch; a tactic which could have been dangerous considering the Super Eagles’ pace, but in this instance worked, suffocating any Nigerian sparks. The likes of Taiwo and Mikel had a few long range efforts, but nothing to trouble the experienced El Hadary. And Egypt rounded off a very good day when substitute Gedo drove his shot past Enyeama from outside the box.

So by defeating Nigeria for the first time in 47 years, Egypt stand in pole position to qualify from Group C. The Pharaohs face Mozambique in their next group match on Saturday, and a win there would ensure progression. Despite gaining a fantastic result, Egypt were by no means at their best, and will still feel they have more to offer as life without the injured Mohamed Aboutrika is still in its infancy.

Egypt: El Hadari, Fathallah, Said, Moawad, Gomaa, Fathi, Abd Rabou, Ghaly, Hassan, Zidan, Moteab.
Subs: Abdoul-Saoud, El Mohamady, Salem, El Sakka, Eid, Tawfik, Gedo, Wahid,
Shikabala, Abdelshafy, Raouf, Hamdy.

Nigeria: Enyeama, Yobo, Taiwo, Nwaneri, Mohammed, Mikel, Yussuf, Uche, Etuhu, Obasi Ogbuke, Yakubu.
Subs: Ejide, Apam, Echiejile, Kaita, Kanu, Martins, Obinna, Odemwingie, Odiah, Olofinjana, Shittu, Aiyenugbu.

[youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=YBaaLqeuT3g]