NIGERIA ALLOW TWO GOALS SLIP TO DRAW 2-2 WITH EGYPT

Egypt came from two goals down to hold Nigeria to a 2-2 draw in their Group B Day two clash on Wednesday at the Caroline Faye Stadium, M’Bour.


Having won their opening fixtures on Sunday, Dream Team VI needed a win to cruise to the next round but had their two-goal lead equaled by a more adventurous Pharaohs.

Unlike much of the action previously seen at the championship, what followed was a disjointed affair devoid of any real pattern, although the Nigerians created the clearer goalscoring opportunities.

Etebo Oghenekaro’s first have penalties gave Samson Siasia’s a first half lead before their opponents crawled back through Ramadan Ahmed and substitute Mamdouh El Sayed.

Pharaohs captain Rami Rabia handled in the 19th minute and Etebo scored the opener from the spot.
Few minutes later, Mohamed Hany Gamal also handled in the vital area and Etebo was on hand to double the lead on 30 minutes.

The Pharaohs were undaunted by the two-goal deficit, returning with a strong presence in the second half, yielding dividends barely 60-seconds upon recess. Ahly youngster Ahmed headed home from a Mohamed Sharf Edin cross from the left to make it 2-1.

Five minutes later, El Sayed leveled with a cool finish from an acute position and set the game alive.

Ramadan sent a 30-yard free-kick narrowly wide in the 63rd minute and went close again six minutes later, jinking into space inside the penalty area only to see his strike repelled once more by Emmanuel Daniel.

The result leaves Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt in contention for the group’s two tickets for the next round. Dream Team face Algeria on Saturday in the last Group B game while Egypt seek their first win against Ma