TheCable

Super Eagleswarmed up for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Egypt at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Tuesday night.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr examined some new faces when his team faced the Pharaohs in the friendly match.

John Ogu, Ebere Onuachu, Henry Onyekuru, Moses Simon and Daniel Akpeyi were all given the chance to shine.

Egypt gaffer Javier Aguirre fielded a completely different side from the one which played against Niger.

Zamalek keeper Mahmoud Gennesh, Smouha left-back Ahmed Aboul-Fotouh and Dakhleya winger Islam Gaber all made their debuts.

Lanky forward Paul Onuachu opened the scoring in a matter of seconds. He collected a long ball on the edge of the area and rifled a brilliant volley into the top corner for the opener.

There were no clear cut chances for Egypt as they found it hard to carve out openings.

Egypt eventually created a great chance in the 30th minute. Aboul-Fotouh whipped in a cross from the left but Salah Mohsen’s header went high over.

The visitors failed to intercept a series of Nigerian passes amid cheers from the home crowd during the first half of the entertaining game.

At the beginning of the second stanza, Egypt made the first substitution. Salah Mohsen was replaced by Amr Warda.

Onuachu’s physical attributes caused problems to Egypt’s defence as Nigeria pressed for the second goal.

An Egyptian free-kick which was floated into the area was headed over by Mohamed Elneny.

Alex Iwobi’s shot was blocked by the defence after Henry Onyekuru skipped past a couple of challengers down the right.

In Egypt’s best effort, a long ball found Kouka who ran behind the defence but he dithered on the ball and a defender cleared the danger in the 81st minute.

Another chance was carved out by Egypt. Substitute keeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa blocked a long-range thunderbolt from Islam Gaber and saved a follow-up effort from Kouka.

An Egypt corner caused mayhem but the keeper intervened and handled the ball. Trezeguet also jinked into the area with a weaving run but he was eventually dispossessed.

Despite the late pressure from Egypt, the Eagles held on to the slim lead and won 1-0 in Asaba.