Egypt are on the brink of qualifying for the 2017 African Cup of Nations after defeating Nigeria 1-0 at the Borg El Arab Stadium on Tuesday night.<br /><br />A 65th minute strike from Radwan Sobhi saw the Pharaohs pip Super Eagles 1-0 in the city of Alexandria.<br /><br />Nigeria enjoyed the early possession as both teams tried to settle down at the jam-packed arena.<br /><br />In the 5th minute, the dangerous Hegazy headed towards Nigeria goal off a free kick. It was a promising move for the home team. Egypt skipper Al-Said fired a left blinder that went close.<br /><br />Turkish- based forward Aminu Umar then tried his luck from close range but his effort was well gathered by the goalkeeper.<br /><br />It was Odion Ighalo&rsquo;s turn to torment the homers when he controlled a long ball inside the box and fired, but it was wide off the target in the 15th minute.<br /><br />The tempo of the game gradually slowed down until Said released a cross which Salah failed to connect.<br /><br />With five minutes left in the first half, Chippa United and Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi produced a brilliant save to deny the hosts the curtain raiser.<br /><br />The former Heartland and Warri Wolves gloves man turned away a shot by Ibrahim Salah for a corner and moments later the goalie again saved an Al-Said effort. The first half ended 0-0 in Alexandria.<br /><br />Samson Siasia had enough of Stanley Amuzie&rsquo;s average performance and hauled him off with Elderson Echiejile taking his place in the 46th minute.<br /><br />Nigeria held their own, but they needed to do more because they wanted the victory more than the Egyptians.<br /><br />Ten minutes into the second half, it took a last-ditch challenge from Efe Ambrose to stop the home side from scoring.<br /><br />On the hour mark, the alert Akpeyi stood firm to save Al-Said&rsquo;s screamer.<br /><br />The noisy home fans found their voice when their darling team went in front in the 65th minute of the encounter.<br /><br />Radwan Sobhi rifled home the only goal of the match, it was his first goal for his country. The visitors knew they had to up the ante in a bid to salvage their qualification campaign.<br /><br />Salah crossed to the path of Al-Said who failed to apply the finishing touch to the sweet team move.<br /><br />Eight minutes to the end of the match, Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi found his way to the box but he somehow failed to score.<br /><br />The Nigerians thought they had equalised in the 85th minute but Victor Moses saw his effort hit the cross bar.<br /><br />The skillful Iwobi set-up the ineffective Ighalo who was crowded out by the defenders.<br /><br />There was no way back for the Super Eagles as the hosts held on to an important 1-0 win at home.<br /><br />The Pharaohs now have seven points from three games, followed by Nigeria with two points and Tanzania with one point.<br /><br />With the setback in Alexandria, Nigeria kissed goodbye to the biennial tournament for the second time in a row.<br /><br /><b>Egypt Starters Vs Super Eagles</b>: El Shenawy, Rabea, Ahmed Hegazy, Tolba, Elneny, Ibrahim Salah, Saed, Sobhny, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen<br /><br /><b>Coach:</b> Hector Cuper<br /><br /><b>Super Eagles Starters Vs Egypt</b>: Daniel Akpeyi, Shehu Abdullahi, Stanley Amuzie, Godfrey Oboabona, Efe Ambrose, John Obi Mikel (c), Aminu Umar, Oghenekaro Etebo, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo<br /><br /><b>Reserves</b>: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Elderson Uwa Echiejille, Azubuike Okechukwu, Ogenyi Onazi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi<br /><br /><b>Coach</b>: Samson Siasia<br /><br /><b>Ademetan Abayomi</b><br />