The Super Eagles will not feature at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final competition after losing 1-0 to Egypt in Alexandria on Tuesday. Meanwhile the Eagles missed out on the last Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 hosted by Morocco.
A hard fought battle at Borg El-Arab Stadium, packed with 40,000 spectators, was separated by Radwan Sobhi’s 65th minute goal off a goal–mouth scramble that followed a corner kick.
As happened in the first leg in Kaduna, the Mikel Obi–led Super Eagles showed spirit, composure and energy, and were purposeful all through. But as happened in Kaduna, they failed to have a good number of shots on goal as they elected to get close to goal before attempting to score.
The Pharaohs find it difficult breaking through a defenceline of Abdullahi Shehu, Stanley Amuzie, Efe Ambrose and Godfrey Oboabona, and John Mikel Obi and Etebo Oghenekaro held sway in the midfield. But Nigeria failed to translate possession into goals.
It means that Egypt have nearly qualified for their first Africa Cup of Nations since 2010, as Nigeria’s clash with Tanzania in September has become totally academic. Tanzania, with one point, host the Pharaohs in June. (thenff)
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