🌍 AFCON: Nigeria edge past Egypt; Holders Algeria held by Sierra Leone | OneFootball

More Africa Cup of Nations action continues with three matches scheduled for Tuesday.

Keep checking back here as everything unfolds.

Iheanacho stunner sees Nigeria edge Egypt

Scorers: Iheanacho 30′

Nigeria kick-started this year’s tournament with a statement 1-0 win over Egypt.

Virtually from the first whistle things wouldn’t go Egypt’s way as they suffered an early blow when Akram Tawfik was forced off with an injury just 12 minutes in.

Then unfortunately for both sides, issues with the ball on numerous occasions resulted in multiple brief breaks in play.

Once the game finally started to flow Nigeria quickly became the more threatening of the two and took a 1-0 lead at the half-hour mark when Kelechi Iheanacho’s smashing half-volley went into the top corner.

Coming out after the break the Super Eagles continued to have the better opportunities in front of goal while a quiet Egypt side were limited to only two shots on target all game.

Mohamed Salah had the best chance to equalise but goalkeeper Maduka Okoye made a crucial save late in the game to see Nigeria hold on to all three points.

Impressive Sierra Leone stun Algeria

An organised Sierra Leone performance was enough to hold reigning champions Algeria to a goalless draw.

Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani led the way yet for Algeria yet neither managed to put any threatening attempts on target in addition to VAR dismissing a penalty claim.

Down at the other end, Alhaji Kamara came close to breaking the deadlock twice for Sierra Leone but couldn’t put his attempts on target.

Coming out after the break, Kamara did manage to put the ball in the net only to see the goal ruled out for offside keeping things 0-0.

As time went on, Algeria struggled to break down their opponents despite dominating possession and having a handful of chances to take the lead. An additional penalty claim was also dismissed by VAR.

Goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara, in particular, was the difference-maker for Sierra Leone making multiple impromptu saves including in the final seconds of the match.

As a result, both teams split the points.

More to come…