Yaounde: Egypt, holder of the record of the African Nations Cup with 7 titles, began its campaign in the edition in course in Cameroon with a 1-0 loss to Nigeria in Group D on Tuesday. Kleichi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the match in the 30th minute with a superb shot that hit the corner in top left of the Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy goal to lead Nigeria in lead the group 3 points clear of the Guinea-Bissau-Sudan match later in the day. Nigeria excelled in the first half, took possession of the ball and formed several dangerous attacks against Egypt’s goal, managing to come out with a goal in this time. The fifth minute saw the Egyptian team’s first start with Mustafa Mohamed, rushing to shoot at the hands of the Nigerian goalkeeper. Akram Tawfik, Egypt’s right-back, was injured 10 minutes before the game, to be replaced by Mohamed Abdel Moneim. The danger of Nigeria appeared during the first quarter of an hour of play thanks to the movements of the right wing, but the Egyptian defense remained alert for offensive attempts. In the 14th minute, Samuel Chukwueze sent a cross from the right in area penalty, which was kept away by defender Mohamed Abdel Moneim. On 27 ‘Joseph Ayodele-Aribo sent a cross, which was met by Moses Simon with a shot in brings. Nigeria had the opportunity to double their lead in the 37th minute, but the vigilance of Egyptian goalkeeper El-Shennawy put them in control. Iheanacho struck a surprise ball in the 39th minute, passed close to the left post of Al-Shennawi’s goal. New changes At the start of the second half, Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz made a second substitution to replace Ayman Ashraf, replacing left-back Ahmed Fattouh. The Nigerian team opened the second half with a quick attack on El-Shennawy goal, and Kenneth Omeru’s header crossed the left post of El-Shennawy goal. At 48 ‘El-Shennawy and the Egyptian cross save a dangerous opportunity for Tayo Onyi’s Nigeria. Ahmed Hegazy and his successor El-Shennawy managed to thwart a promising attack on Nigeria in the 57th minute, which was very dangerous after Simon’s pass. In the 64th minute a promising attack for the Egyptian team when substitute Ahmed Sayed Zizou penetrated into thearea Nigeria’s penalty and then sent a cross that was blocked by the defense. An important opportunity presents itself in front of Mohamed Salah in the 71st minute of Zizou’s pass, but the ball stumbles under his feet, losing the opportunity to equalize for Egypt. At 77 ‘an opportunity for Chidira Ijoki, who shoots a powerful ball from inside thearea penalty, and El Shennawy saves it with decision. Zizou fell inside thearea Nigeria’s penalty in the 79th minute and called for a penalty, but the referee, Kary Gasama, indicated that play continued. (Reuters)