The Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 preparations in Cairo gained momentum on Monday night, with more players joining ahead of Nigeria’s friendly against Egypt and the upcoming tournament in Morocco.
Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Akor Adams, Cyriel Dessers, and Raphael Onyedika were the latest additions to the team’s camp at the Renaissance Hotel, bringing the total number of players in Cairo to 21. The new arrivals immediately joined their teammates for the first full training session at Cairo International Stadium.
Seven more players are expected to link up with the squad as Nigeria gears up for Tuesday’s friendly against the Pharaohs. The match serves as a key dress rehearsal ahead of the 35th AFCON finals, starting in Morocco on Sunday.
Three-time champions Nigeria will test combinations and assess squad depth, while Egypt, seven-time winners, are expected to do the same. Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle has fresh options to consider, including goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Tochukwu Nnadi, midfielders Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Usman Muhammed, and forwards Paul Onuachu and Salim Fago Lawal.
Egypt are led by Hossam Hassan, a former striker and joint top scorer when the Pharaohs won the tournament in 1998. His squad will revolve around Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, aiming for his first AFCON title, supported by Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, Al Ahly trio Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, as well as Emam Ashour, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Pyramids’ Mohamed Hamdy, Mostafa Fathi, Ibrahim Adel, and FC Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed.
Chelle is likely to rely on a core lineup featuring Stanley Nwabali in goal, with Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, and Zaidu Sanusi at the back. The midfield could see Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi, while Ademola Lookman leads the attack alongside established forwards.
Kick-off for the friendly is set for 8 pm local time in Egypt (7 pm in Nigeria). By Monday night, 23 of Nigeria’s 28-man squad had arrived in Cairo, with the remaining players expected before matchday.
Following the friendly, the Super Eagles will depart Cairo on Thursday via chartered flight to Fés, their base for AFCON 2025. Nigeria, chasing a fourth continental title after victories in 1980, 1994, and 2013, will open Group C action on December 23 against Tanzania, followed by matches against Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 30 at the Complexe Sportif de Fés.
Egypt, aiming to defend their legacy as the only team to win AFCON three consecutive times (2006–2010), are in Group B alongside South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe, with fixtures scheduled at Stade d’Agadir.
Super Eagles Players Currently in Cairo Camp:
Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Amas Obasogie, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igho Ogbu, Tochukwu Nnadi, Zaidu Sanusi, Paul Onuachu, Frank Onyeka, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Cyriel Dessers, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Raphael Onyedika.
