The Nigerian national football team's preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have officially commenced in Cairo, Egypt, with a significant portion of the squad now assembled. Head coach Eric Chelle is overseeing the early stages of the camp as the Super Eagles aim to secure a fourth continental title in Morocco.
Super Eagles Squad Gathers in Cairo
Twenty players have already reported to the national team's base in the Egyptian capital, integrating into the structured training program. Among the notable arrivals are Fulham's dynamic duo, midfielder Alex Iwobi and defender Calvin Bassey. They were joined by Brentford's Frank Onyeka, adding midfield steel to the squad.
Other key players who have checked into camp include FC Porto's Zaidu Sanusi and Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu. They have linked up with earlier arrivals such as Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Francis Uzoho. The early gathering allows the team to build cohesion and adapt to Chelle's tactical plans well ahead of the tournament's kick-off.
Osimhen's Strategic Late Arrival
However, one major name is conspicuously absent from the Cairo camp: Galatasaray's star striker Victor Osimhen. The 26-year-old forward, who is central to Nigeria's attacking strategy, is yet to join his teammates. Osimhen comes off a strong weekend performance, scoring his 12th goal of the season in Galatasaray's 4-1 victory over Antalyaspor.
According to reports, Osimhen, along with Nantes winger Moses Simon, will not participate in the initial Cairo preparations. Both players are scheduled to fly directly to Morocco to link up with the squad ahead of the tournament's start. This decision is a tactical one, designed to manage player workload and is in compliance with FIFA regulations, which permitted clubs to retain players until the day of the final pre-tournament match.
Consequently, Osimhen and Simon will miss Nigeria's preparatory friendly match against Egypt.
Final Friendly and Tournament Schedule
The Super Eagles are set to face the Pharaohs of Egypt in a high-profile warm-up game at the Cairo International Stadium. The match, originally scheduled for Monday, December 15, was rescheduled to Tuesday, December 16 in accordance with FIFA rules. This fixture presents a crucial opportunity for Coach Chelle to test various player combinations and tactical setups against quality opposition.
Following the friendly, the Nigerian contingent will depart for Fez, Morocco, where their Group C campaign will unfold. As confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Nigeria's group stage schedule is as follows:
- Opening match against Tanzania on December 23.
- Clash with Tunisia on December 27.
- Final group game against Uganda on December 30.
With the core of the squad now in training and key attackers like Osimhen set to join imminently, the Super Eagles are steadily building momentum for their title challenge. However, former Nigeria international Sam Sodje has recently cautioned Coach Chelle against over-reliance on Osimhen for goals, emphasizing the need for a collective effort from the entire team to succeed in Morocco.
