AFCON 2025: 24 Super Eagles Arrive in Cairo Ahead of Egypt Friendly Salah and Osimhen Absent

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Nigeria’s national football team has stepped up its preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a growing squad now assembled in Cairo. Twenty-four Super Eagles players are currently in camp at the Cairo International Stadium as the team continues training sessions ahead of an international friendly against Egypt scheduled for Tuesday evening.

The camp received a boost with the arrival of defenders Salim Fago and Chidozie Awaziem, who joined the squad shortly before the team’s latest training session. Their presence adds depth to the defensive department as head coach Eric Chelle fine-tunes his lineup for the high-profile encounter.

Training activities featured a strong representation across all departments of the team. In goal, Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, and Amas Obasogie took part in drills aimed at sharpening reflexes and coordination with the defensive line. At the back, several defenders were involved in tactical sessions, including Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi, and Igho Ogbu.

Midfield responsibilities were handled by a mix of experienced and emerging players. Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro all participated in ball-control drills and transitional play exercises designed to strengthen the team’s attacking rhythm.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s attacking department also featured several notable names preparing to test Egypt’s defense. Ademola Lookman, Paul Onuachu, Cyril Dessers, Akor Adams, and Chidera Ejuke were among the forwards involved in offensive practice sessions as the team worked on finishing and tactical movement.

Despite the strong lineup expected for the friendly match, fans will not see some of the biggest stars from either side on the pitch. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, and Nigeria’s prolific striker Victor Osimhen are all unavailable for the fixture.

Reports indicate that the trio did not take part in their national team training sessions earlier in the week. Egyptian sources suggested that head coach Hossam Hassan opted to rest Salah and Marmoush because they arrived late to camp, choosing instead to prioritize their recovery.

On the Nigerian side, Osimhen has not yet linked up with the Super Eagles in Cairo. The striker recently departed his club side Galatasaray in Turkey but had not arrived in time to participate in the team’s early preparations for the friendly.

Egypt’s national team conducted a training session involving 26 players on Monday evening as part of their tactical preparations. The coaching staff reportedly used the session to refine strategies ahead of their opening AFCON fixture against Zimbabwe scheduled for December 22.

Fitness considerations have also influenced the Egyptian squad selection in recent days. Team director Ibrahim Hassan confirmed that winger Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” was temporarily excused from full training after undergoing a dental procedure. In addition, midfielder Ibrahim Adel is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during a match in the UAE Pro League, though both players are expected to return before the tournament begins.

For the upcoming friendly clash, the Egyptian Football Association has appointed Mahmoud Nagi as the match referee. He will be assisted by Samir Gamal and Youssef El-Basaty, while the match will also feature the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.

After the friendly match against Nigeria, Egypt plans to travel to Morocco on Wednesday evening where the team will complete its final preparations for the continental tournament.

Commentary and Analysis

This friendly between Nigeria and Egypt serves as more than just a routine warm-up match. Both nations are among Africa’s most historically successful football teams, and encounters between them often carry competitive intensity even outside official tournaments.

The absence of key figures such as Salah and Osimhen changes the dynamics of the fixture, potentially allowing emerging players to showcase their abilities. For Nigeria, the match presents an opportunity for coach Eric Chelle to evaluate squad depth and experiment with tactical combinations ahead of AFCON.

Egypt’s decision to rest some of its top stars also reflects a cautious approach commonly adopted by national teams before major tournaments. Preserving player fitness is often prioritized over short-term results during preparatory matches.

Ultimately, the friendly may offer valuable insights into both teams’ readiness for AFCON 2025. While supporters may miss the presence of some superstar names, the game still provides a crucial testing ground for players hoping to secure a place in their countries’ starting lineups when the tournament officially begins.