Super Eagles invitee and FC Midjtylland striker, Paul Onuachu
scored a stunning 20-yard half volley on his Super Eagles first start as the
Gernot Rohr’s team beat Egypt 1-0 in an international friendly game played at the
Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
The win was
Nigeria’s second in four days after they defeated Seychelles 3-1 in their final
Group E match of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Onuachu who
started ahead of Odion Ighalo in the game beat an Egyptian defender with a
delightful flick before firing a half volley into the top corner of the net for
his first goal in two appearances for the Super Eagles.
Onuachu’s goal for the Super Eagles was struck in the first
minute of the match, and the Pharaohs chased the gave to no avail for the
entire duration of the encounter.
The Nigerian
team controlled the game well in the opening 20 minutes, but it was Hassan
Mahmoud who came close in drawing the Egyptian level from an indirect free kick
which Daniel Akpeyi saved without any problem.
Egypt had
another opportunity in the 30th minute through S. Salah but his header went
inches wide.
In the second
half, Gernot Rohr brought on Ikechukwu Ezenwa for Daniel Akpeyi in goal for
Nigeria while Amr Warda replaced Salah for Egypt. The Nigeria gaffer also
replaced John Ogu who copped a leg injury in the 68th minute with Semi Ajayi.
In the 73rd
minute, Henry Onyekuru skipped past his markers to set up Alex Iwobi, but the
Arsenal forward’s strike was blocked by the Egyptians.
With seven
minutes left to play Ezenwa made a double save to preserve Nigeria’s lead.
First, he parried Ahmed Mohamed’s long-range strike before gathering the
rebound effort from an onrushing forward.
Balogun also
intercepted an Egyptian attack to deny the Pharaohs a late equaliser in the
encounter.
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