The Super Eagles are now doomed in their aspirations to qualify
for next year's AFCON tournament in Gabon after losing 0-1 to
Egypt in Alexandria tonight. The task before the Eagles became
tougher after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Egypt in Kaduna and the
withdrawal of Chad from the AFCON race.
Nigeria missed out on the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea and
were desperate for a return. The first half ended goalless with the
Super Eagles keeping to coach Samson Siasia's tactical master
plan to keep proceedings neat and tidy and then attack the
Egyptians on the counter.
But with the Egyptians resolute they soon found a way past the
Nigerians in the second half.
19 year old Ramadan Sobhy scored in the 65th minute after a
deflection off his shot ensured the Super Eagles left the field with
hands in their mouth. Upon scoring Nigeria, the Egyptians
introduced a striker with the hope that they could pull the Nigerian
defence across the lines knowing fully well the Nigerians will
attack, attack and attack as they needed a goal badly.
Ighalo, ineffective throughout the match, drifted towards the left
side as new entrant Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa tried to play
centrally. Time and time again, Nigeria were thwarted by the
Egyptian defence causing the Nigerian backline to play high up and
expose themselves in 3 vs 4 or 3 vs 5 situations.
And then the moment of hope came! Victor Moses, hardworking
through out the night blazed a rocketing shot from almost 30
yards which hit the bar and spiraled towards the other corner.
Victor Moses and the Super Eagles bench were distraught, how
wasn't that a goal? Even with four minutes of extra time, the Super
Eagles looked more likely conceding a goal than scoring one.
Nigeria with 2 points from three games, with just one game
against Tanzania remaining, is effectively out of qualification for
next year's AFCON tournament.