AFCON 2021: Nwakali and Umar made their Super Eagles debuts against Egypt

Two players Kelechi Nwakali and Sadiq Umar made their Super Eagles debuts in Nigeria's 1-0 win over Egypt in their opening Group D game of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Super Eagles of Nigeria made a fine start to their AFCON campaign with a win over Egypt courtesy of a Kelechi Iheanacho strike in the first half.

Umar came on in the 72nd minute of that game for his debut while interim coach Augustine Eguavoen also gave a first-time Super Eagles appearance to midfielder Nwakali who came on in the 80th minute.

With the debut, the duo continues with their journeys with the national team after representing Nigeria with the youth teams.

Umar was part of the U-23 team that won the Bronze Medal of the football event of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

He had been called up to the Super Eagles on two occasions but could not honour the invitation for some reasons.

Nwakali was one of the Golden Eaglets' most important players as Nigeria won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

The midfielder was captain of that Nigeria's U-17 team and had an impressive tournament finishing as the Golden Ball winner.