Nigeria trembles for victory | NRS Import | '
The visitors had to wait 77 minutes in the sparsely filled stadium of Alexandria before they saw the first and only goal of the match between Nigeria and Burundi. But this hit had it in itself: Ola Aina put through his hoe on Odion Ighalo, who left Jonathan Nahimana in goal Burundis with his banger on the right inside post no chance of defense.
Previously, not much had come together at the three-time African Cup winner Nigeria (1980, 1994, 2013) against the tournament debutants. Burundi, the number 134 FIFA World Ranking, bravely defended against the often awkward attempts of at least 90 places better classified Nigerians. In the first half they even missed a not at that time undeserved leadership, as defender Frederic Nsabiyumva after a free-kick only hit the crossbar.
Only when the German coach Gernot Rohr made use of his three substitution options, the offensive actions of the Nigerians became more compelling. And so it was reserved for Ighalo, four minutes after his substitution to provide for the redemption.
Joker Ighalo after his 1-0 for Nigeria against Burundi
A great success for Odion Ighalo, who just left the Chinese Super League with his club Changchun Yatai and moved to competitor SH Shenhua. Ighalo has been making money in China for a good two years. For 23 million euros, he had gone in early 2017 to the Middle Kingdom. Previously, the 30-year-old had been under contract in Spain, including in Granada, in Italy in Udine and Cesena and most recently in England's second division at Watford. Especially his performances in Watford put him in the focus of Rohr, who has been looking after the Nigerians since 2016.
Despite the modest performance, Nigeria have a good chance of progressing as one of the group B leaders in Group B after a 1-0 (0-0) win over Burundi. With a total of 15 participations in the African Cup, the "Super Eagles" have reached the semi-finals 13 times. However, they missed the last two editions.
First Uganda gate after more than four decades
Late in the evening, the tournament's most goal-oriented encounter followed. Also in the coastal city of Alexandria, Guinea and Madagascar split 2: 2 (1: 0). Sory Kaba brought Guinea on submission from Amadou Diawara in the lead (34 '), four minutes after the restart, it was Anicet Abel who made a header to equalize (49'). The Assist goes to the account of Carolus Andriamahitsinoro. Only three minutes later, Kaba had the renewed lead on the foot, but his ball landed on the post. Then it was Madagascar's turn again: hit this time Andriamahitsinoro himself (55 ') before Francois Kamano converted a penalty to a new tie (66'). Romain Metanire had brought down Ibrahima Traore. Nigeria are third in Group B, followed by Guinea and Madagascar (1 each) and Burundi (0).
In the afternoon, Uganda defeated DR Congo 2-0 (1-0) in Group A, taking the championship lead after a 1-0 home victory over Egypt Zimbabwe on Friday night. Patrick Kaddu (14) and Emmanuel Okwi (48), who was also named Man of the Match, scored the goals in the Cairo International Stadium. For Uganda it was the first victory for 41 years at an African Cup.
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