Nigeria’s Super Eagles will play Egypt in a high-profile international friendly match at the Cairo International Stadium on 14 December, just seven days before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
According to Ahram, the Egyptian Football Association confirmed the fixture on Sunday. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to release an official statement about the match as of press time.
The game, arranged at the request of Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan, is part of both countries’ final preparations for the continental showpiece.
It promises to be an exciting contest, with Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah, two of Africa’s biggest football stars, set to lead their nations. Both players will be aiming to lift their first-ever AFCON title in Morocco.
Salah, 33, has been the main man for Egypt for nearly a decade. The Liverpool forward, twice named African Footballer of the Year (2017 and 2018), remains the only Egyptian to have scored in four straight AFCON tournaments — 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. However, despite his remarkable record, he has twice finished as runner-up with the Pharaohs.
For Osimhen, crowned Africa’s Best Player in 2023, the clash against Egypt is another important test. The Napoli striker inspired Nigeria to the AFCON 2023 final and helped the team secure bronze in 2019. The 2025 tournament will be another opportunity for him and his teammates to end Nigeria’s 12-year wait for a continental crown.
The Cairo meeting will also rekindle one of Africa’s oldest football rivalries. In their 19 previous encounters, Nigeria have won nine times, Egypt five, while five matches ended in draws. In their four friendly meetings, the Super Eagles have never lost — winning two and drawing two.
Before the friendly, Nigeria will play a tough World Cup qualifying playoff in November against Gabon, and possibly Cameroon or DR Congo.
Egypt, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, will continue their preparation with games in the UAE International Tournament, where they will face Uzbekistan on 14 November. Cape Verde and Iran are also part of the four-nation competition.
For the AFCON 2025 group stage, Egypt will compete in Group B alongside South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe, while Nigeria will play in Group C with Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The December friendly in Cairo is expected to serve as a major test for both teams as they aim to build momentum for Africa’s biggest football tournament.