By Comfort Asemota
With a sizable number of Super Eagles players in camp, Coach Eric Chelle is expected to test new talent in today’s friendly against Egypt’s Pharaohs at Cairo Stadium.
Ahead of the match, several regulars were set to join the squad, potentially influencing Chelle’s initial lineup and the overall game plan. The fixture between two of Africa’s most successful football nations serves as a key warm-up ahead of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, starting this Sunday.
The three-time AFCON champions Nigeria and seven-time winners Egypt are anticipated to play with full intensity while assessing squad depth. Chelle is likely to give minutes to newcomers, including:
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Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie (Tanzania-based)
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Defender Ryan Alebiosu
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Midfielders Usman Muhammed, Tochukwu Nnadi, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro
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Forwards Paul Onuachu, Salim Fago Lawal
Chelle’s decision to inject youth and first-time internationals reflects a bold approach reminiscent of the late Stephen Keshi, who successfully blended new players during Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON triumph. The move also comes in the wake of last month’s World Cup elimination, giving Chelle a final opportunity to evaluate the team before heading to Morocco.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to depart Cairo for Fés on Thursday, ahead of their AFCON opening game against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on Tuesday, December 23. They will then face Tunisia on Saturday, December 27, and conclude their Group C campaign against Uganda on Tuesday, December 30.
Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, an AFCON legend and 1998 top scorer, will also use the friendly to test his squad. The Pharaohs are expected to rely on stars such as Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Mohamed El-Shenawy (Al Ahly), and Mostafa Mohamed (FC Nantes), among others.
The match promises to be a high-intensity encounter as both sides fine-tune their squads ahead of AFCON 2025.
