Super Eagles of Nigeria will not participate in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon, following the 0-1 loss to the Pharaohs of Egypt in Alexandria in the second leg of the double-header AFCON qualifier.
With Chad’s withdrawal from the race, Egypt top the table with 7 points, with a game left against Tanzania in June, while Nigeria follow with mere two points and a game left against Tanzania in September. The Tanzanians, on their part, have two points with two games to spare.
Teenager Radwan Sobhi grabbed the all-important goal in the 65th minute when his toed effort from just inside the box trickled behind a sea of Nigerian legs and past goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Egypt deserved their win, having dominated the game and making several attempts at goal but with Akpeyi often coming to the rescue. Nigeria rarely threatened, except for the cracking shot from Victor Moses on 83 minutes that hit the bar and bounced back into play.
The dismal result means that Nigeria, despite the array of stars invited for the double-header, will not be participating in the second AFCON competition in a row, after winning the trophy in South Africa in 2013, the last time she participated.