Egypt Awaits Response From Liverpool Man City on Salah Marmoush Availability for Nigeria Friendly

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Preparations are intensifying for the upcoming international friendly between Egypt and Nigeria, yet uncertainty remains over whether two of Egypt’s biggest stars will be available for the match. The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) is still expecting responses from two English Premier League giants regarding the participation of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush in the fixture scheduled for December.

The match, planned to take place at Cairo Stadium on December 14, forms part of Egypt’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The friendly is considered an important opportunity for the Pharaohs to test their squad strength as they prepare to defend their reputation as the most decorated team in the history of the continental tournament.

Gossip News Now reports that Egyptian football authorities have already initiated communication with the players’ respective clubs—Liverpool and Manchester City—to seek approval for their release. However, the association has not yet received any formal confirmation from either club, leaving the availability of the two players uncertain.

Egypt’s national team coach, Hossam Hassan, is reportedly keen on having both players involved in the friendly. As a result, he requested that EFA President Hani Abu Rida personally lead discussions with the English clubs. Abu Rida has already contacted officials from Liverpool and Manchester City in hopes of securing a positive response.

Despite these efforts, scheduling conflicts may complicate matters. The December calendar is particularly demanding for Premier League teams, raising doubts about whether the clubs will allow their players to travel for an international friendly during such a busy period.

For instance, Liverpool are scheduled to host Brighton on December 13, just a day before the Egypt-Nigeria encounter. Manchester City also have an important league fixture against Crystal Palace on December 14, which coincides with the date of the international match in Cairo.

Because of these tight schedules, both clubs could decide to retain their players rather than release them for international duty. This situation has placed the Egyptian Football Association in a waiting position as it finalizes its preparation plans for the upcoming AFCON campaign.

Nigeria’s national team is also dealing with similar challenges regarding player availability. Several Super Eagles stars who play in the English Premier League may not be able to travel to Egypt due to club commitments during the same period.

Among the Nigerian players potentially affected are Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Calvin Bassey, whose club Fulham will face Burnley on December 13. Meanwhile, Tolu Arokodare’s Wolves are expected to travel to Arsenal on that same date, further complicating his availability for the friendly.

In addition, Frank Onyeka is widely expected to miss the encounter entirely. His club Brentford are set to clash with Leeds United on December 14, the exact day the international friendly is scheduled to take place.

Analysis and Commentary

International friendlies scheduled during active club seasons often create tension between national teams and club managers. While national associations view these games as essential preparation for major tournaments, clubs frequently prioritize their domestic and continental competitions.

In this case, the Egyptian Football Association’s attempt to secure the services of Salah and Marmoush reflects the importance of the Nigeria match as a preparatory step toward AFCON 2025. However, Premier League clubs typically protect their key players during congested periods of the season.

If both teams are forced to play without several of their European-based stars, the friendly could instead become an opportunity for coaches to test emerging talents and expand their squad depth ahead of the continental competition.

Ultimately, the final decision will depend on the willingness of Liverpool, Manchester City, and other clubs to cooperate with the respective national federations.