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Ighalo, Moses, Musa target victory in Alexandria

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Super Eagles trio of Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses have expressed optimism ahead of Tuesday’ssecond leg game of the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers at the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria.

The Super Eagles deserved to be more than one goal ahead at an overcrowded Ahmadu Bello Stadium in northern city Kaduna as the high-profile Group G clash drifted into stoppage time.

Then, a pass from substitute Ramadan Sobhy caught the defence napping and as they stood appealing for offside, Mohamed Salah equalised.

Oghenekaro Etebo, a star when Nigeria won the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations three months ago, had pounced on a rebound off the woodwork to break the stalemate on the hour.

According to Watford of England striker, Odion Ighalo, “Egypt got a draw in Nigeria and I believe we can still go over there to win. It was disappointing that we did not concentrate till the last minute and that they didn’t give us the fair play, but we can still win on Tuesday.”

Read Also :Musa, Ikeme, Ighalo, Moses declare war on Egypt

“Shame we couldn’t get the win today (Friday) but the boys battled hard and we move on to Tuesday now,” a disappointed Moses said.

For Ahmed Musa, “It’s not over yet, we still have a lot to play for in the return leg, it was unfortunate to concede a late goal but that wouldn’t put us down in our mission to be at the next Nations Cup,”

Salvaging a lucky point kept record seven-time African champions Egypt two points ahead of three-time winners Nigeria halfway through the six-round qualifying schedule.

Egypt have seven points, Nigeria five, Tanzania four and Chad none in the ‘group of death’.

The teams clash again Tuesday in Mediterranean city Alexandria and a win for the Pharaohs would all but seal a slot at the 2017 tournament in Gabon.

 

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