The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is in a race against time to salvage a crucial pre-tournament friendly for the Super Eagles, following a scheduling clash caused by a recent FIFA directive. The team's warm-up match against the Pharaohs of Egypt, originally set for December 14, is now in serious jeopardy.
FIFA Ruling Forces Last-Minute Changes
The core of the problem stems from an official announcement by FIFA, football's world governing body. The organization has stated that clubs outside Africa are only obligated to release their players for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from December 15. This date falls just one day after the scheduled friendly in Morocco, leaving coach Eric Chelle potentially without many of his Europe-based stars.
In response to this setback, officials from the NFF have initiated urgent talks with their counterparts at the Egyptian Football Association. The proposed solution is to postpone the high-profile friendly match to December 17, a date that would comply with the FIFA regulation and allow both teams to field full-strength squads.
Chelle's Preparations Face Multiple Hurdles
This disruption is a significant blow to the meticulous planning of head coach Eric Chelle. The friendly against the formidable Pharaohs was intended as a final tactical test before the continental tournament kicks off. Furthermore, the entire training camp schedule has been forced to adapt.
The Super Eagles' camp, which was initially planned to open on December 10, will now welcome players on December 14. According to reports, the final 28-man squad will then fly directly to Morocco. There remains a possibility that the team could arrange another top-tier friendly on Moroccan soil before their first group match.
Injured Players and Goalkeeper Dilemma Add to Complexity
Meanwhile, Coach Chelle has been forced to defend his provisional squad selections. He included injured defenders Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) and Felix Agu (Werder Bremen) in his preliminary 55-man list, a decision that has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits.
Chelle clarified that he received personal fitness assurances from the players and has made contingency plans. He informed the NFF's technical committee that 19-year-old Emmanuel Michael of LASK has been included as a potential cover for the injured duo, as well as for Zaidu Sanusi and Bruno Onyemaechi.
In another major development, reports indicate Chelle is considering a shake-up in the goalkeeping department. The coach named six shot-stoppers in his provisional squad but will only select three for the final list, with speculation rife that he may name a new first-choice goalkeeper for the tournament.
The Road to AFCON Glory
The three-time African champions have been drawn in Group C of AFCON 2025 alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia. Their campaign begins on December 23 against Tanzania's Taifa Stars. They will then face Tunisia on December 27, before concluding the group stage against Uganda on December 30.
The Super Eagles will be aiming to go one better than their performance in the last edition, where they finished as runners-up after a 2-1 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast in the final. All Nigerian football fans will be hoping these last-minute administrative hurdles do not derail the team's quest for a fourth continental title.
