AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS : FOOTBALL

 

Iheanacho overshadows Salah, and Mahrez. Nigerian striker scores lone goal in 1-0 win over Egypt; holders Algeria play stalemate.

Yaounde : Kelechi Iheancho overshadowed fellow Premier League stars Mohammed Salah and Riyad Mahrez on Tuesday as Nigeria made a winning start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign and title-holders Algeria were held.

The Leicester City forward scored the only goal in 30 minutes as Nigeria overcame lacklustre Egypt 1-0 in a clash of Group D big guns in the northwestern city Garoua.

His match winner and overall performance earned Iheanacho the man-of-the-match award on a day when prolific Liverpool scorer Salah and Manchester City winger Mahrez failed to sparkle.

Captain Salah cut an isolated, fristrated, figure at the Stade Roumde Adjia a`nd when he did get a scoring chance in the second half, his pord was saved by the boot of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.

It was an otherwise uneventful evening for the Nigeria shot-stopper, who must have anticipated being called into action more often against the record seven-time African champions.

''We had three things in mind - winning, and cutting off the supply to Salah,'' said Nigeria caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen.

''Every game will be treated like a final because each team in Cameroon must be respected regardless of the name of the country.

'' There are no minor football nations anymore in Africa so if you do not plan and make the effort, you can be shocked.''

This was the eighth meeting of the Super Eagles and the 'Pharaohs in the flagship African tournament and three-time champions Nigeria have won four and drawn two.' [AFP]