A lone strike from Egypt’s Radwan Sobhi ended the Super Eagles dreams of staging a return to the AFCON 2017 as the Nigerian side lost 1-0 to the Pharaohs in Alexandria.
Sobhi’s shot in the 65th minute of the tie earned Egypt an unassailable seven points, leaving Nigeria with only two points in Group G of the qualifiers.
Hosts Egypt created the better chances in the first half but Nigeria also had their moments during a goalless first half at a packed Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria.
Nigeria played with a lot of confidence and dictated the tempo of the game for a good period of the first 45 minutes.
Egypt created two early openings.
Hegazy headed narrowly past the Nigeria goal after five minutes and almost immediately skipper Al-Said fired with a left foot from inside the box.
In the seventh minute, Umar Aminu dashed into the Egyptian goal area but his shot was firmly held by the goalkeeper.
Al-Said then delivered a low cross from the left in the 29th minute, but Mohamed Salah was not close to make contact.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Eagles’ goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, pulled off two big saves from Ibrahim Salah and again skipper Al-Said.
Odion Ighalo had a half chance when he controlled the ball inside the box, but he shot wide in the 15th minute.
Victor Moses was close to leveling up for Nigeria, but his shot came off the post with the goalkeeper well beaten.
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