Ajax Amsterdam icon names two Nigerian players that can cause damage to Egypt

Ajax Amsterdam icon Tijani Babangida has revealed that Spanish-based duo Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar can cause damage to Egypt in this evening's eagerly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations clash.

Chukwueze needs no introduction, the Villarreal winger announced his arrival on the international stage at the last Africa Cup of Nations, scoring a crucial opener in the quarterfinal versus South Africa.

If not for fitness issues leading up to the tournament in Cameroon, the 2019 Kopa Trophy nominee would have been one of the first names on Augustine Eguavoen's team sheet.

As for Sadiq, the uncapped striker has put behind him a disappointing loan spell at Glasgow Rangers and is now the poster boy of La Liga 2 club Almeria, notching up 31 goals in 64 appearances since he landed in Spain in October 2020.

Speaking to Filgoal.com, Babangida said : "Nigeria has individual players and also has new faces that can surprise the world if given the opportunity, such as striker Sadiq Umar and Samuel Chukwueze, a player who is good to watch.

"One of the best memories is in 1980 when Nigeria hosted the tournament and we won for the first time, and we lost it in 2000 to Cameroon after we hosted it".

Babangida, an Olympic gold medalist in 1996, is tipping Nigeria and Egypt to qualify from Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Igho Kingsley