AFCON 2021: The headline acts as Nigeria play Egypt

In a battle of former African champions, Nigeria tackle Egypt in the first round of Group D games at the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). While thoughts of the 10 AFCON trophies both nations share between themselves will be put aside for ninety minutes, the focus will rest on particular players.

Arguably the best player coming into the AFCON, Salah will go into Nigeria's game as the most dangerous player on the pitch – so much of a danger that he might divert all of Nigeria's attention away from his teammates and onto himself alone. That is a cause for concern in itself because, at that point, Salah would have created an opportunity for the less-fancied players to cause the damage.

The Egyptian has had a stellar start to the Premier League season, leading Liverpool's goal charts in both the league (16) and the Champions League (7). 

If Nigeria intend to keep Egypt at bay, this is the man to stop. But not at all costs.

The 2021 AFCON will be Iheanacho's first senior men's continental competition despite making his international debut for Nigeria in 2015. Against Egypt, he will play his first AFCON match. 

While the Nigerian forward might come up against stiff opposition on his competition debut, playing against top players is something he has always excelled at. 

A goal and two assists, most recently in Leicester City’s 6-3 defeat to Manchester City a day after last Christmas in December 2021, gave a glimmer of what Iheanacho could do playing against high-level opponents.

Ejuke has grown from being relatively unknown to bearing the weight of expectation ahead of a crunch clash. The explosive CSKA Moscow forward gives off the feeling of the retired Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha in the middle of the pitch for the Super Eagles – he is a player that can act as a livewire.

Already a favourite of Nigeria's interim manager Augustine Eguavoen, Ejuke will likely be expected to handle the number 10 role, coordinating movements between the midfield and attack line. Should Egypt fail to curtail his sleek movements while on the ball, they could be in for a long day of 'dribbles completed', which could amount to goals.

Marmoush has been quite the important player for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga this season. With two goals and three assists in 12 league games, this lively forward would not just be one to turn to for the goals, but one to also set up his teammates should Nigeria fall asleep at any point.

The 22-year-old often starts on the left before cutting inside to unload powerful shots. In simpler terms, either the Super Eagles look to prevent these likely attempts at goal from happening, or they risk having their goalkeeper bear most of the brunt. Speaking of goalkeepers...

In a battle of young-and-promising versus an experienced veteran, Okoye will be saddled with the responsibility of keeping out the entire Egyptian team, and most especially, Mohamed Salah. Despite possessing sharp reflexes, it remains to be seen how this 22-year-old will command his defensive line to prevent the first level of penetration.

El Shennawy on the other hand will put his shot-stopping abilities on display when he faces a host of attacking talents from Nigeria. Although experienced in the game, the 33-year-old is yet to play against the Super Eagles at any level, and is slightly unsure what strings the likes Iheanacho, Ejuke and Taiwo Awoniyi can pull up in attack.