Tue, 12 Jan 2010
Benguela, Angola (Earth Times - dpa) - Defending champions Egypt top Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Nigeria 3-1 on Tuesday in Benguela, while Mozambique came from two-goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Benin in the second group game. Benin took the lead 15 minutes into the game after Mozambican goalkeeper Rafael brought down Razak Omotoyossi in the area and the Metz striker himself converted the spot-kick.
In the 21st minute Dario Khan toed the ball into his own net as he tried to clear from a Benin forward. It gave Benin, who had previously never before led in a match at the finals of the showpiece of African football, a two-goal lead.
On the half hour, Lobo pulled one back for Mozambique after goalkeeper Yoann Djidonou failed to clear a corner for which he had come out and the defender headed over a row of Mozambican players.
Djidonou again played a part when Mozambique equalized as he was well outside the area to clear a ball for a throw in.
The southern African side quickly took the throw in and Pelembe took the ball towards the Benin goal before squaring to Fumo, who pushed it into the empty net to make the final score 2-2.
In the earlier game the defending champions had to come from behind before winning 3-1 through goals by Emad Motaeb, captain Ahmed Hassan and substitute Mohamed Nagui. Chinedu Obasi had given the Super Eagles an early lead.
Egyptian coach Hassan Shehata said that the victory was only the beginning. "We still have a very long way to go and we need the support of our fans."
His Nigerian counterpart, Shaibu Amodu, meanwhile admitted his side had a mountain to climb after their plummeting to the 3-1 defeat.
He said that it was a very tight game from the beginning. "It was a must-win game for both sides. We tried to force a win and I am sure Egypt did the same.
"We made a few tactical blunders and we were punished for that."
He said that he was not too concerned about conceding a third goal. "That was not important as we tried to force an equalizer and pushed everybody forward."
He praised their opponents and said they are of a very high quality. "It was a good game and fans saw some high quality African football."
"Not all is lost. It was just a lesson. We should get back our system for the two other matches and then we can still go through to the next round."
The Super Eagles' captain, Joseph Yobo, admitted that they knew going into the game it would be very difficult. "We started very well and got a goal, but then they came at us.
"They scored too early in the second half. That unstabilized us and then we tried to chase the game. If we had come out for the second half as we did the first, we would have won."
A disappointing crowd of 5,000 was in the Ombaka Stadium in Benguela at the start of the game, but by the end of the first match the crowd had swelled to close to 30,000 in the 35,000-seater stadium built for the tournament.
However, half of those left during the second game.
The first chance of the game fell to Egyptian Mohamed Zidan in the 6th minute and although goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama pushed the ball over the crossbar, the referee blew for a goalkick.
Somewhat against the run of play Obasi, who plays his club football for Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga, opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a well-taken shot from just inside the area.
The Super Eagles had a strong penalty appeal turned down midway through the half when Yakubu Aiyegbeni's shot hit Hani Said's arm, but the referee waved play on.
Ten minutes from the break the Pharaohs were back on level terms when captain Hassan, who won the man-of-the-match award, sent through a defense splitting pass to Motaeb and he went around the on-rushing Vincent Enyeama and pushed the ball into the back of the empty net.
The defending champions took the lead in the 54th minute with a brilliant goal from Hassan, whose deflected shot from just outside the area gave the Nigerian goalkeeper no chance.
On the hour Motaeb could have easily made it three for his side after being one-on-one with Enyeama, but the Israel-based custodian did well to deny the Al Ahli striker.
Enyeama was again up to the task a few minutes later when Zidan curled a free-kick around the wall.
Although Amodu introduced Portsmouth's Nwankwo Kanu into the game with some 15 minutes to go, the lanky striker could not bring his team back into the game.
Instead, it was the Egyptian side which found the net for the third time three minutes from the end after Sayed Moawad pushed the ball through to Nagui who scored with a low shot.
Nigeria face Benin in their next group match on Saturday, while Egypt take on Mozambique.
Benguela, Angola (Earth Times - dpa) - Defending champions Egypt top Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Nigeria 3-1 on Tuesday in Benguela, while Mozambique came from two-goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Benin in the second group game. Benin took the lead 15 minutes into the game after Mozambican goalkeeper Rafael brought down Razak Omotoyossi in the area and the Metz striker himself converted the spot-kick.
In the 21st minute Dario Khan toed the ball into his own net as he tried to clear from a Benin forward. It gave Benin, who had previously never before led in a match at the finals of the showpiece of African football, a two-goal lead.
On the half hour, Lobo pulled one back for Mozambique after goalkeeper Yoann Djidonou failed to clear a corner for which he had come out and the defender headed over a row of Mozambican players.
Djidonou again played a part when Mozambique equalized as he was well outside the area to clear a ball for a throw in.
The southern African side quickly took the throw in and Pelembe took the ball towards the Benin goal before squaring to Fumo, who pushed it into the empty net to make the final score 2-2.
In the earlier game the defending champions had to come from behind before winning 3-1 through goals by Emad Motaeb, captain Ahmed Hassan and substitute Mohamed Nagui. Chinedu Obasi had given the Super Eagles an early lead.
Egyptian coach Hassan Shehata said that the victory was only the beginning. "We still have a very long way to go and we need the support of our fans."
His Nigerian counterpart, Shaibu Amodu, meanwhile admitted his side had a mountain to climb after their plummeting to the 3-1 defeat.
He said that it was a very tight game from the beginning. "It was a must-win game for both sides. We tried to force a win and I am sure Egypt did the same.
"We made a few tactical blunders and we were punished for that."
He said that he was not too concerned about conceding a third goal. "That was not important as we tried to force an equalizer and pushed everybody forward."
He praised their opponents and said they are of a very high quality. "It was a good game and fans saw some high quality African football."
"Not all is lost. It was just a lesson. We should get back our system for the two other matches and then we can still go through to the next round."
The Super Eagles' captain, Joseph Yobo, admitted that they knew going into the game it would be very difficult. "We started very well and got a goal, but then they came at us.
"They scored too early in the second half. That unstabilized us and then we tried to chase the game. If we had come out for the second half as we did the first, we would have won."
A disappointing crowd of 5,000 was in the Ombaka Stadium in Benguela at the start of the game, but by the end of the first match the crowd had swelled to close to 30,000 in the 35,000-seater stadium built for the tournament.
However, half of those left during the second game.
The first chance of the game fell to Egyptian Mohamed Zidan in the 6th minute and although goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama pushed the ball over the crossbar, the referee blew for a goalkick.
Somewhat against the run of play Obasi, who plays his club football for Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga, opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a well-taken shot from just inside the area.
The Super Eagles had a strong penalty appeal turned down midway through the half when Yakubu Aiyegbeni's shot hit Hani Said's arm, but the referee waved play on.
Ten minutes from the break the Pharaohs were back on level terms when captain Hassan, who won the man-of-the-match award, sent through a defense splitting pass to Motaeb and he went around the on-rushing Vincent Enyeama and pushed the ball into the back of the empty net.
The defending champions took the lead in the 54th minute with a brilliant goal from Hassan, whose deflected shot from just outside the area gave the Nigerian goalkeeper no chance.
On the hour Motaeb could have easily made it three for his side after being one-on-one with Enyeama, but the Israel-based custodian did well to deny the Al Ahli striker.
Enyeama was again up to the task a few minutes later when Zidan curled a free-kick around the wall.
Although Amodu introduced Portsmouth's Nwankwo Kanu into the game with some 15 minutes to go, the lanky striker could not bring his team back into the game.
Instead, it was the Egyptian side which found the net for the third time three minutes from the end after Sayed Moawad pushed the ball through to Nagui who scored with a low shot.
Nigeria face Benin in their next group match on Saturday, while Egypt take on Mozambique.
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