Table of Contents
The eagerly awaited friendly clash between Egypt and Nigeria has been postponed to 16 December, according to Soccernet.ng.
This update was officially announced by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) late Friday, as reported by Ahram.
Khaled El-Darandaly, EFA’s Vice President, explained that the adjustment was necessary due to FIFA’s revised international player release guidelines, which impacted both teams’ final preparations ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
Initially, the Pharaohs and the Super Eagles were scheduled to meet on 14 December as part of their AFCON 2025 buildup, with the tournament set to take place in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January.
However, FIFA’s updated directive now permits clubs to retain African players until 15 December, meaning both teams would be without their full rosters on the original date.
This change is particularly significant for Egypt, who anticipate the arrival of key stars like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush only after the new release date. Nigeria faces a similar challenge, as most of coach Eric Chelle’s main squad members are based in European clubs.
Egypt’s Quest for AFCON Glory and Squad Preparations
Egypt, holders of seven African championship titles, are aiming to secure their first AFCON trophy since 2010. Drawn into Group B alongside South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe, the Pharaohs have come close in recent editions, finishing as runners-up in 2017 and 2021 after losses to Cameroon and Senegal respectively.
Head coach Hossam Hassan recently unveiled a 28-man preliminary squad, with players convening in Cairo for the final training camp starting Wednesday. The team is focused on fine-tuning tactics and fitness ahead of the tournament kickoff.
Stay Updated with the Latest Sports News
Nigeria’s Adjusted Preparations Amid Scheduling Challenges
FIFA’s revised player release policy has forced Nigeria into a significant reshuffle of their pre-AFCON plans. The Super Eagles were originally set to begin their training camp in Cairo on 10 December, followed by friendly matches and a swift transfer to Morocco. This itinerary has now been scrapped.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has since devised a new training schedule, with the camp now set to commence on 14 December. This leaves coach Chelle with less than a week to prepare the squad before AFCON begins.
The friendly against Egypt will now take place on 16 December, but uncertainties remain regarding player availability and the venue. Hosting the match in Cairo is no longer viable, prompting both federations to consider Morocco as the likely location, aligning with their tournament base.
Injury Setbacks and Leadership Changes for Nigeria
Nigeria’s preparations have been further hampered by injuries to key players including Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi, Benjamin Fredrick, and Felix Agu. Additionally, captain William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, delivering a significant blow to the team’s defensive stability. Troost-Ekong was honored as the 2023 AFCON Player of the Tournament and had been a pivotal figure in Nigeria’s backline.
Coach Chelle, who recently released a broad 55-man provisional roster, now faces the challenge of trimming the squad to 28 players within a condensed timeframe. Nigeria, placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, is eager to claim their fourth AFCON title, having previously won in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
