NIGERIA’s Super Eagles have got history with the Pharaohs of Egypt. Head-to-Head, Egypt has lost more competitive matches against Nigeria. The North African powerhouse have cracked the code to continental glory, winning the AFCON a record 7 times, but are yet to understand the Super Eagles. The Nigerian national team has a record of unsettling Egyptian footballers on the field of play and the Pharaohs must rue the fact that both countries start their AFCON 2021 journey in direct opposition. Nigeria will face Egypt at 5pm on January 11 and the Super Eagles will beat Egypt to go the distance in the competition.
The interim coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, will tutor his lads on Nigeria’s footballing history against Egypt, and how best to triumph when they confront the seven-time champions for the top spot in Group D. Nigeria is going into the match as the underdogs because the team is underestimated. Eguavoen’s knowledge of Nigeria’s successful exploits against Egypt will come in handy for the Super Eagles. There is a wealth of experience from the coach and the captain, Ahmed Musa, to actually intimidate the so-called favourites.
The Pharaohs claimed the first two editions of the AFCON in 1957 and 1959, then won on home soil in 1986, and in Burkina Faso 12 years later, before achieving a three-peat in 2006, 2008, and 2010. Our Super Eagles soared to glory on home soil in 1980, then won in Tunisia in 1994, before claiming South Africa in 2013. Both nations have had a good taste of continental wins, they’ve become hungry, but Nigeria is hungrier.
They are very familiar with each other at the AFCON, and the Pharaohs have actually beaten the Super Eagles at the AFCON twice (6-3 in Nigeria’s first-ever match at the competition, Ghana 1963, and 3-1 Angola 2010). However, the Super Eagles have triumphed more times in the competition beating them in 1980, 1984, and 1990. The teams are good at sharing the spoils but the Eagles have an extra motivation to bury the Pharaohs once again with the element of surprise.
Nigeria seem to be handicapped with lethal forward Victor Osimhen, and 2019 AFCON top scorer Odion Ighalo out of the competition. Without the known names of Ighalo, Osimhen, or even Emmanuel Dennis, the Super Eagles are already gauged as a harmless bird soaring with no prey in sight. It is now time for the younger men to shine, and they can shine really bright if the system is right. Former U-17 star Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to partner Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Peter Olayinka to mark a potent frontline. The enterprising Samuel Chukwueze and Henry Onyekuru serve as exciting support to the striking department. Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Nwakali, and Alex Iwobi will dominate that midfield while we pray the defense puts in a tight shift.
Mohammed Salah is the obvious talisman for Egypt but we envisage a dry spell for the Liverpool ace largely due to a masterclass from Wilfred Onyinye Ndidi in his defensive midfield role. The Super Eagles want to prove a point in Cameroon —Nigeria are the overlooked favourites of every AFCON— and this victory will preclude a perfect run to top Group D.
