By Amosu Adeboye, LAGOS
Paul Onuachu scored a stunning 20-yard half volley on his Super Eagles full debut 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 thrashed Seychelles 3-1 in their final Group E match of 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifiers on the same ground.
Onuachu who replaced Odion Ighalo in the starting line-up 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 solitary match winner 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 Shalabi Salah but his header went inches wide.
In the second half, Gernot Rohr subbed on Ikechukwu Ezenwa for Akpeyi in goal for Nigeria while Amr Warda replaced Shalabi 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 before setting up Alex Iwobi, but the Arsenal forward’s strike was blocked by the Egyptian defence.
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.
