The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt clash in a pivotal pre-2025 Africa Cup of Nations friendly match today at the Cairo International Stadium. This preparation match offers a final, crucial opportunity for both African giants to test personnel and potential tactics before the tournament officially kicks off this weekend in Morocco.
Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle will heavily rely on this fixture to assess his squad depth and provide vital minutes to the newer members of the team. Chelle’s 28-man AFCON squad features a contingent of debutants, including Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Usman Mohammed, Tochukwu Nnadi, Ryan Alebiosu, and Salim Fago Lawal. These new invitees are fully expected to receive significant run-outs against the Pharaohs tonight.
The game also serves as an important platform for returning players and fringe squad members to stake a strong claim for a starting shirt in Chelle’s competitive lineup. As of Tuesday morning, the Super Eagles camp at the Renaissance Hotels in Cairo has swelled to 22 players, allowing for a meaningful, high-intensity training session on Monday evening.
Key players such as striker Victor Osimhen, winger Moses Simon, and forward Samuel Chukwueze will miss this friendly, as they are expected to link up directly with the Super Eagles in Morocco later this week due to late club commitments.
The preparation match is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM Egypt time, which corresponds to 7:00 PM Nigeria time (WAT). The fixture was designated a “practice match” following its postponement due to FIFA regulations on player release, which permits both teams to utilize more than the standard five substitutions, facilitating comprehensive squad rotation and assessment.
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