CAIRO: Odion Ighalo scored a late winner four minutes after coming on as a substitute to see a relieved Nigeria squeeze past tournament debutant Burundi 1-0 at the African Cup of Nations on Saturday.
Nigeria had been warned when the second day of the tournament opened with its first major surprise: Uganda, playing at the Cup of Nations for the first time in 41 years, beat former champion Congo 2-0.
Nigeria ultimately prevailed over the newcomers when Ighalo pounced to bury his chance in Egypt’s second largest city of Alexandria.
The forward slipped in behind the Burundi defense after a backheeled pass by Ola Aina. He opened his body and stroked a right foot shot across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.
Three-time champion Nigeria deserved the win on the second half evidence, but not on the first 45 minutes.
Then, Burundi was the more adventurous team on the biggest day in its soccer history.
Cedric Amissi controlled a long pass superbly but had his shot blocked by Nigeria ‘keeper Daniel Akpeyi. Akpeyi struggled to keep out a powerful long-range free kick by Gael Bigirimana and Frederic Nsabiyumva hit the crossbar with a header.
“It was a very difficult game,” Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel said. “It was tough. We knew that they are a tough team. They can run and run and run.”
In Cairo, both of Uganda’s goals came through headers from set-pieces. Patrick Kaddu scored from a corner in the 14th minute and Emmanuel Okwi headed in a free kick early in the second half.
Uganda joined host Egypt at the top of Group A with victory over a Congo team that has been crowned African champion twice and finished third two tournaments ago.
The game was played at a near empty Cairo International Stadium, illustrating the perennial problem of fan attendance when the home team isn’t playing.
The same stadium was packed to its 75,000-seat capacity on Friday when Egypt opened the African Cup with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe.
African Cup: Nigeria needs late goal vs. debutant Burundi
African Cup: Nigeria needs late goal vs. debutant Burundi
- Three-time champion Nigeria eventually won but not on the first 45 minutes
- Uganda, playing at the Cup of Nations for the first time in 41 years, beat former champion Congo 2-0
Auger-Aliassime, Medvedev march on in Dubai
- Auger-Aliassime overcame the big-serving Frenchman thanks to an impressive break-point conversion rate
- In a battle of former Grand Slam winners, Russia’s Medvedev beat Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3
DUBAI: Felix Auger-Aliassime stamped his ticket to the quarter-finals of the Dubai Open on Wednesday with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, while Daniil Medvedev put an end to Stan Wawrinka’s tournament.
Canadian top seed Auger-Aliassime overcame the big-serving Frenchman thanks to an impressive break-point conversion rate as he managed to make the most of three of the five that he forced on Mpetshi Perricard’s serve.
Consecutive breaks in the seventh and ninth games of the opening set allowed the world number eight to seize the initiative.
Auger-Aliassime pounced again early in the second set to get his nose in front and then managed to serve out to book a meeting with Jiri Lehecka in the last eight.
The Czech eliminated Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 to progress through the round of 16.
In a battle of former Grand Slam winners, Russia’s Medvedev beat Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3.
The 40-year-old Swiss will retire at the end of the season and was honored on-court after his defeat.
“It’s my last time here, but I always had amazing support from you guys,” 2016 champion Wawrinka told the crowd.
“It’s always special. The reason why I kept playing for so long is because of those emotions that I receive on court, but I think at 40 it’s time to play for one last year. I’m enjoying it a lot.”
Third seed Medvedev will face Jenson Brooksby in the next round, after the American defeated seventh-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov in straight sets.
Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan was beaten by Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) as the second seed fell to just his fourth defeat of the season.
World number 25 Griekspoor will next face Jakub Mensik after the Czech sixth seed eased past Alexei Popyrin for the loss of just five games.
Doha semifinalist Andrey Rublev continued a fine Middle East swing by battling through 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 against France’s Ugo Humbert.
Later on Wednesday, the 18th-ranked Russian will discover his last-eight opponent when fourth seed Jack Draper meets Arthur Rinderknech.
