AFCON 2021: Group D review

Nigeria reigned supreme in Group D as they rounded off the Group Stage with a maximum of nine points following wins over Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau. The Pharaohs, on the other hand, did not let the opening day defeat to Nigeria discourage them from grabbing their own wins over the Bissau-Guineans and the Sudanese. 

With Sudan and Guinea-Bissau now confirmed for elimination after failing a record a single win, we review all the events from Group D.

Nigeria and Sudan produced the highest-scoring game in a Group D that recorded only nine goals from six matches. 

The Super Eagles, who went into the game unbeaten in their last four outings, started strongly, recording their first goal as early as the third minute with Samuel Chukwueze scoring the tournament's fastest goal.

Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon would add two more on either side of half-time before Walieldin Khidir reduced the deficit late in the second half from the penalty spot.

Nigeria's Simon was impressive to watch in all three games the Super Eagles won in Group D. The Nantes midfielder was not only responsible for starting the buildup to Nigeria's goal against Egypt but was also on the scoresheet and assisted another when Nigeria defeated Sudan.

Despite featuring for just 38 minutes against Guinea-Bissau, Simon also struck the crossbar, an attempt at goal which ended up in the net after William Troost-Ekong pounced on the rebound.

Group D recorded nine goals, all of which came from nine different players from three teams: Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Simon, Sadiq Umar, William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria), Waliedin Khidir (Sudan), Mohamed Salah, Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt)

A lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) consultation played a part in Guinea-Bissau losing 1-0 to Egypt in their second group game. The ruling adjudged that their goalscorer Mama Balde had fouled Egypt's Omar Kamal before he struck beautifully past Mohamed El Shenawy in goal. 

The equalizing goal, which could have been easily voted the goal of the tournament, got chalked off, subjecting Guinea-Bissau to what seemed like an undeserved 1-0 defeat against the Egyptians.

While Guinea-Bissau might have ended with just a point like third-placed Sudan, the Djurtus were, however, a more disappointing side. They were the only team in Group D who failed to record a goal across all three matches. In fairness, they did score a beautiful goal against Egypt, but sadly, it did not count.