The highly anticipated pre-tournament friendly match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt has been officially postponed and rescheduled. The clash, a key part of both teams' preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will no longer hold on its original date.
FIFA Directive Forces Date Change
The match was initially scheduled for December 14 at the Cairo International Stadium. However, a recent directive from FIFA, the world football governing body, has necessitated the change. FIFA announced that clubs are entitled to retain their players until six days before the start of a major tournament.
This regulation meant that if the match proceeded on the 14th, both national teams would have been severely depleted, missing almost all their stars based in European leagues. While Egypt has a larger contingent of players in its domestic league, Nigeria's squad heavily relies on foreign-based professionals.
New Date and Logistical Hurdles
Following discussions between the two football associations, a new date has been agreed upon. The friendly will now be played on December 16, 2025, just five days before the commencement of AFCON 2025. This confirmation came from Khaled El-Darandaly, the Vice President of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA).
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had reportedly appealed to its Egyptian counterparts for the postponement. Despite the new date, a significant challenge remains. Players will likely only begin arriving at their national team camps on the very day of the match, making it difficult for both coaches to field full-strength squads or implement tactical plans effectively.
Super Eagles' Squad Concerns Loom Large
The rescheduling adds another layer of complexity for Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, who is already grappling with several selection headaches. Chelle is yet to name his final squad for the tournament, having only released a preliminary 54-man list.
That initial list caused debate among fans, particularly due to the recall of some players who have been absent from the national team setup for a while. The defence appears to be the most pressing area of concern for the coach.
Captain William Troost-Ekong has recently retired from international football, while promising defender Benjamin Fredrick is sidelined with a knee injury. The fitness of full-backs Ola Aina and Felix Agu is also being monitored, as they await medical clearance from their respective clubs. This leaves Calvin Bassey as the only fully trusted central defender, with his eventual partner being a critical decision for the team's AFCON prospects.
Furthermore, the team has suffered a setback with Inter Milan defender Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who is on loan at Pisa, reportedly struggling to regain full fitness in time for the tournament.
The rescheduled friendly against Egypt will be a crucial, if imperfect, test for Chelle's side as they finalize their preparations for the continental showpiece in Morocco.
