2 min: A hefty touch by Shehu enables Nahiman to nip in and take the ball off him. But Nigeria soon win it back and resume knocking it about. Burundi file back into a solid shape and prevent any easy openings.
The Super Eagles are turned out in magnificent green and white jerseys with that flourish of black Vs on the arms, while Burundi are wearing their not-quite-so-familiar deep red tops with white rings around the shoulder and, um, snowdrops across the abdomen. What I wouldn’t do for subbuteo sets of these two teams.
The stadium in Alexandria is sparsely populated, save for a smattering of fans from both countries clustered in the shade in one of the stands: just how much are organisers charging to get into these matches?
Updated
Teams
Nigeria: Akpeyi; Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Aina; Ndidi, Etebo; Chukwueze, Mikel, Iwobi; Onuachu
Subs: Ezenwa, Balogun, Musa, Ighalo, Onyekuru, Simon, Ogu, Awaziem, Osimhen, Uzoho
Burundi: Nahimana; Moussa, Duhayindavyi, Nsabiyumva, Ngando; Bigirimana; Nahimana, Moustapha, Amissi; Berahino Fiston
Subs: Sabumukama, Kamsoba, Kwizera, Nizigiyimana, Mavugo, Shabani, Ndikumana, Nshimirimana, Amissi, Nduwarugira, MacArthur
Referee: B Camille (Seychelles)
Updated
Preamble
The Super Eagles’ first match in the Africa Cup of Nations is always eagerly anticipated, especially after the three-times champions contrived to miss the last two editions. But no one has been looking forward to this game more than Burundi, who are appearing in the finals for the first time. This is a historic moment – can they produce a shock to go with it?
Updated