🌍 AFCON: Salah scores winner for Egypt; Nigeria through | OneFootball

There were two African Cup of Nations games to enjoy on Saturday, with both coming from Group D.

This is what went down.

Salah volleys winner in controversial Egypt win

Scorers: Salah 69′.

Mohamed Salah scored a sublime volley to earn Egypt their first win of AFCON 2022 to kickstart their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds.

It looked for some time that Carlos Queiroz’s side might struggle to break down their stubborn opponents with Amr El Solia’s long-range shot deflecting just wide of the far post their best effort of the first half.

Salah then forced a good save from Francisco Mendes at his near post from the resulting corner.

The Liverpool forward was not to be denied in the second half however as he bagged the winner in some style with 21 minutes left.

A well-worked team move saw El Solia’s chipped cross find Salah free at the far post and he caught the ball on the volley first-time to evade Mendes.

Mama Baldé thought he had levelled for Guinea-Bissau in the 82nd minute but his stunning strike was ruled out for a foul in the build-up after the referee had been referred to the pitch side monitor.

Egypt now head into their final game of the group against Sudan in second spot and in the driving seat when it comes to qualification.

Nigeria qualify and maintain perfect start

Scorers: Chukwueze 3′, Awoniyi 45′, Simon 46′

Nigeria easily booked their place in the knockout stage of AFCON with a comfortable win over Sudan who disappointed defensively.

It took the Super Eagles just 136 seconds to take the lead as Samuel Chukwueze swept the ball home after Sudan failed to deal with a long throw-in from the right.

They deservedly doubled that advantage before half-time when Taiwo Awoniyi made it two in fortuitous fashion when an attempted clearance deflected off his face and beyond the goalkeeper.

Nigeria capitalised on more defensive issues at the start of the second half by easily gliding through the heart of the Sudanese defence before Moses Simon supplied the finishing touch on the angle.

Walieldin Khedr did pull one back from the penalty spot but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation, meaning Sudan will need victory over Egypt in their final game if they want to join Nigeria.