Wanted Aribo impresses as Nigeria off to winning start
Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo played a key role for Nigeria as they began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 victory over Egypt.
Aribo set up Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho to score what turned out to be the winning goal on the half-hour mark in Garoua as they took a big step towards qualifying from Group D.
Egypt are seen as Nigeria’s biggest rivals in the pool, but the three-times winners of the tournament were far too strong for their opponents and ought to have won by more.
Aribo played as part of a three-man midfield, a role not too dissimilar to his at Rangers, and was at the heart of Nigeria’s good work going forward.
It was the 25-year-old who laid on the assist for Iheanacho, heading a loose ball into the path of the Leicester City striker to hammer home from just outside the box.
Aribo has been linked with a move to the English Premier League, with Southampton the latest team said to be interested, and his performance will have not gone unnoticed.
He played the full 90 minutes and won his 12th cap for Nigeria. Former Rangers forward Umar Sadiq, who is now with Almeria, also made an appearance from the bench.
Nigeria were under the stewardship of caretaker boss Augustine Eguavoen, with new manager Jose Peseiro watching from the stands.
“Pulling up a win against Egypt was a surprise to many people, but not a surprise to us,” said Eguavoen.
“We respected them, and we put in all our best to secure victory today. This game is gone, we have forgotten about it and we will focus on our next game.”
Egypt, who had Liverpool forward Mo Salah leading their forward line, were unable to seriously test Nigeria’s backline and will need to improve when they take on Guinea-bissau in their next match on Saturday.
Nigeria can all but secure their place in their last 16 should they beat Sudan on the same day. The Sudanese had a goalless draw against Guinea-bissau in the other Group D match yesterday.
In Group E, Algeria – who have former Rangers defender Majid Bougherra in their coaching set-up – were surprisingly held to a goalless draw by Sierra Leona in Doula.