Kelechi Iheanacho was on target as Nigeria comfortably beat seven-time champions Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener.
The Leicester City striker opened the scoring in the 30th minute, burying a stunning half-volley on the turn.
Nigeria dominated throughout, with Egypt keeper Mohamed El Shenawy tipping a Taiwo Awoniyi header on to the bar and twice denying Chidera Ejuke.
The Pharaohs offered little in response after falling behind in Garoua.
Iheanacho soars for Super Eagles
Iheanacho's performance up front will be a welcome relief to Super Eagles supporters, with fellow Nigeria strikers Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis and Odion Ighalo all forced out of the squad for Cameroon.
The Foxes man impressed throughout the first half, feeding in Awoniyi who saw a tame effort saved shortly before the break.
The Super Eagles were well-supported at the Roumde Adjia Stadium, less than 400 miles from NigeriaNigeria, three-time African champions, continued to push for a second after half-time with El Shenawy twice keeping out substitute Chidera Ejuke in the closing stages.
Ultimately though one goal was enough for the West Africans, lead by interim manager Augustin Eguavoen with new boss Jose Peseiro only observing from the stands.
The Super Eagles had sacked long-serving boss Gernot Rohr just four weeks before the tournament following an underwhelming World Cup qualification campaign.
Pharaohs fall flat in opener
Egypt were lacklustre for much of the proceedings, managing just one shot in the opening 70 minutes.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who has reaffirmed his desire to stay at Anfield, repeatedly found himself isolated up front as Nigeria dictated the match's tempo.
The forward was played through by substitute Ahmed Sayed with 20 minutes remaining but his mishit shot was saved by the legs of Nigeria keeper Maduka Okoye.
Nigeria will face Sudan in Group D on Saturday (16:00 GMT), while Egypt take on Guinea-Bissau (19:00 GMT).
Line-ups
Nigeria
Formation 4-2-2-2
1Okoye
2Aina5Troost-Ekong22Omeruo12Sanusi
10Aribo4Ndidi
17Chukwueze15Simon
14Iheanacho19Awoniyi
1Okoye2Aina5Troost-Ekong22OmeruoSubstituted forAjayiat 79'minutes12Sanusi10Aribo4Ndidi17ChukwuezeSubstituted forEjukeat 72'minutes15SimonSubstituted forIwobiat 90+1'minutes14IheanachoSubstituted forNwakaliat 80'minutes19AwoniyiSubstituted forSadiqat 72'minutesSubstitutes
6Ajayi7Musa8Onyeka11Onyekuru13Ejuke16Akpeyi18Iwobi21Ebuehi23Uzoho24Sadiq25Nwakali26NdahEgypt
Formation 4-3-3
1Gomaa
25El Hagrasi6Hegazy15Hamdi13Mohamed
7Trézéguet5Abdul Fattah17Elneny
14Ahmed Abdallah10Salah22Marmoush
1Gomaa25El HagrasiSubstituted forAbdelmonem Elsayed Mohamed Ahmedat 12'minutes6Hegazy15HamdiSubstituted forMohamed Ragaei Bakrat 90'minutes13MohamedSubstituted forAshrafat 45'minutes7TrézéguetSubstituted forSayedat 58'minutes5Abdul Fattah17Elneny14Ahmed AbdallahSubstituted forSobhiat 58'minutes10Salah22MarmoushSubstitutes
2Abdelmonem Elsayed Mohamed Ahmed3Abdel Wahed8Abdelghany9Mohamed Ragaei Bakr11Sobhi12Ashraf18Ahmed Abdelmonem19Bekhit20Eldin Mahmoud Ibrahim21Sayed23Daader24AhmedLive Text
Match ends, Nigeria 1, Egypt 0.
Second Half ends, Nigeria 1, Egypt 0.
Mohamed Elneny (Egypt) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Umar Sadiq (Nigeria).
Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Mohamed El Shenawy.
Attempt saved. Chidera Ejuke (Nigeria) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kelechi Nwakali.
Corner, Egypt. Conceded by Alexander Iwobi.
Substitution, Nigeria. Alexander Iwobi replaces Moses Simon.
Attempt missed. Zizo (Egypt) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Mohamed Abdelmonem.
Substitution, Egypt. Mohamed Sherif replaces Mahmoud Hamdi El Wensh.
Corner, Egypt. Conceded by Ola Aina.
Ramadan Sobhi (Egypt) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Ola Aina (Nigeria).
Foul by Ayman Ashraf (Egypt).
Joe Aribo (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Umar Sadiq (Nigeria).
Ahmed Hegazy (Egypt) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Umar Sadiq (Nigeria).
Attempt missed. Ahmed Hegazy (Egypt) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high following a corner.
