Group D of AFCON, Cameroon 2021 will kick-off with a fierce battle when Nigeria Super Eagles lock horns with record champions Egypt in Garoua.
The match scheduled for today, Tuesday, January 11 will kick off at 4:00 pm at the Romde Adjia Stadium.
Nigeria - Super Eagles looking for new glory
Nigeria starts the campaign on high spirits, given the desire of the Super Eagles to return to the continental coronation stage and win the fourth title in the history of the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations.
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They start with a tough battle against their rivals the Pharaohs, but Super Eagles are keen on winning the title they last celebrated in 2013.
What they said
Augustine Eguavoen (Coach, Nigeria)
The organization is excellent, and I thank Cameroon for that. We have no worries. We respect Egypt, but Nigeria is a great team, and we didn't come here to lose. I'm not looking for personal glory, but the most important thing I'm looking for is an achievement for Nigeria.
Ahmed Musa (Captain, Nigeria)
This is the last Africa Cup of Nations for me, and I thank God for all that I have achieved. We have a good team, and we are going to compete for the title with whatever it takes. Whenever I play for the national team, I do my best because it is a great honor, especially to be the captain.
Egypt - For more records
The Pharaohs hope to start their campaign wit victory over tough Super Eagles, which will enhance their chances and boast their morale.
Egypt seeks an eighth continental title, more than 10 years since they achieved a historic Africa Cup of Nations treble from 2006 to 2010.
What they said
Carlos Queiroz (Coach, Egypt)
We are ready and eagerly waiting for the start of the journey. Everyone is ready to give their best. We will face a team that has many great players, but we are ready and we will face them with full force.
Mohamed Salah (Captain, Egypt)
All teams have top players and have the opportunity to compete. Tomorrow we will do everything we can to win because we have a good team and great players. We are in the stage of building a new generation, however, we have reached the play-offs in the World Cup qualifiers, and now we will compete for the Africa Cup of Nations. I have never won a title with the national team and I hope this will be the first. We have a great coach and a great team so we will give our all.
Following are the match facts from Opta:
● This will be the ninth encounter between Nigeria and Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations – only three fixtures have been played more often in the history of the tournament (Cameroon-Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire-Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire-Ghana – all 10 times). Nigeria hold the upper hand with three wins to Egypt’s two, although their last encounter in 2010 went to the Pharaohs (3-1 in the group phase).
● Nigeria are making their 19th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. They have reached the semi-finals in 14 of their last 16 AFCON participations, winning the tournament on three occasions.
● This is Egypt’s 25th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, a record in the history of the tournament. They have won it seven times, more than any other side. However, they have won none of the last five AFCON tournaments after winning each of the previous three (2006, 2008, 2010).
● Egypt are unbeaten in each of their last 16 group matches at the Africa Cup of Nations (W12 D4). Their last defeat in the group phase dates back to the 2004 tournament (1-2 v Algeria).
● Since his debut in the competition in 2017, Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 60% of Egypt’s goals in the Africa Cup of Nations (4 goals + 2 assists, out of a team total of 10 goals)
CAF