By Adeyinka Akintunde, Lagos on March 25, 2016

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were Friday evening held to a 1-1 draw by the Pharaohs of Egypt in the first leg of the double-header cracker, at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, in Kaduna. A 60th minute goal by Oghenekaro Etebo opened scoring for Nigeria, only for Egypt’s Mohammed Salah to equalise in extra time, leaving the Egyptians still two points ahead of Nigeria on top of the table ahead of the second leg in Alexandria, Egypt, on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles began the match immediately going for goal. Ahmed Musa powered forward at the right side, crossing the ball towards the goal mouth but there was no header. The catalogue of misses continued as the match wore on, with Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho and Odion Ighalo all coming close on various occasions. The first half eventually ended scoreless.

The breakthrough came early into the second stanza. Simon passed to Iheanaecho, who hit the bar with his shot. Etebo was at the right place to slot the ball into the net.

Substitute Victor Moses almost sealed the match on 83 minutes, striking to an empty net, but an Egyptian defender saved it, as the last man standing.

Mohammed Salah had the final word of the game on 92 minutes, breaking out of the Nigerian defence, while the Eagles were waiting for an offside whistle, to score against a lonely goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.

•Photo shows Oghenekaro Etebo.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 25, 2016

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