The Digest:
Nigeria's 2-1 defeat to Egypt in their final AFCON warm-up revealed persistent issues in midfield progression, defensive solidity, and the impact of dubious officiating, casting a shadow over their tournament preparations.
Key Points:
- Analysis of Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Egypt highlighted questionable officiating, including a potential offside for Egypt’s winner and inconsistent foul calls.
- Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali showed no signs of injury and appears ready to start as Nigeria’s number one at AFCON.
- The absence of injured defender Benjamin Fredrick was felt, as the center-back pairing looked unconvincing against Egypt’s attack.
- Coach Eric Chelle’s system again struggled with ball progression from midfield to attack, a recurring issue from previous matches.
- The attack failed to create clear chances despite possession, leaving striker Paul Onuachu isolated.
- The match raised concerns about the team's readiness to face higher-quality opponents in the tournament.
- Despite the loss, the friendly served as a final diagnostic before the competitive action began.
Sources: Soccernet, Complete Sports
