Nigeria, Egypt clash in pre-AFCON friendly as Super Eagles’ camp bubbles
By Tosin Omojola –
Nigeria and Egypt continue to fine-tune their preparations for the fast-approaching Africa Cup of Nations, with a friendly match slated for this evening in Cairo.
Three-time African champions Nigeria and record seven-time winners Egypt will lock horns at the Cairo International Stadium in the high-profile friendly organised to prepare both teams ahead of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals, which kick off in Morocco on Sunday.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Sékou Chelle will be offered the opportunity to put to test several debutants, such as goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Usman Muhammed, Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, and forwards Paul Onuachu and Salim Fago Lawal, who are all in contention to grab first-team shirts in the squad.
There is also the likelihood that Chelle might want to feature a core of his regulars, including Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, as well as Ademola Lookman.
This will be the Super Eagles’ first game after the disappointing loss to DR Congo in the World Cup play-off, a defeat that thwarted Nigeria’s quest for an appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Pharaohs’ head coach Hossam Hassan, an AFCON legend, will definitely build his team around Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who, despite an impressive club career and numerous trophies, is still chasing his first AFCON title. There are also Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush and Al Ahly regulars Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Emam Ashour and Mahmoud Trezeguet in the Egyptian squad.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles’ camp in Cairo has continued to bubble, with 17 of the 28 players listed for the AFCON having reported to camp as at Monday afternoon.
The Nigeria versus Egypt friendly match is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm Egypt time (7:00 pm Nigeria time) and is expected to provide a fierce but valuable rehearsal for both African heavyweights ahead of AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
