Three-time African champions Nigeria will wrap up their five-day pre-tournament camp in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday and proceed to Fez, Morocco, their base for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as preparations for the continental showpiece intensify.
The tournament will be hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles opened camp in Cairo on Sunday with just 10 players, but the squad swelled to 27 by Wednesday. Paris FC winger Moses Simon was the latest arrival, while Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen was expected to be the final player to link up with the team ahead of their departure.
Upon arrival in Fez, the Eagles will enter the final phase of preparations with the full squad, as attention shifts to their opening Group C fixture scheduled for Tuesday.
As part of their build-up, Nigeria tested their readiness in a pre-tournament friendly against hosts Egypt on Tuesday, falling 2–1 to the Pharaohs.
Egypt took the lead in the 28th minute through Ahmed Saber, who finished from close range after Zizo’s low delivery from the right. Nigeria responded in first-half stoppage time when Chidozie Awaziem capitalised on a defensive mix-up, heading home after Zaidu Sanusi’s free-kick caused confusion between goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and his defence.
The hosts regained control eight minutes into the second half as Mostafa Mohamed exploited a poorly executed Nigerian offside trap, racing through before firing past Amas Obasogie.
Head coach Eric Chelle last Thursday unveiled his final 28-man squad for the tournament, recalling goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and striker Paul Onuachu after more than a year away from international duty.
Chelle also handed maiden call-ups to five players, including Inter Milan midfielder and Remo Stars Academy graduate Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Israel-based Usman Muhammed, former Flying Eagles pair Tochukwu Nnadi and Salim Fago, as well as Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C, alongside Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda. The Super Eagles will begin their campaign against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on December 23, before clashes with Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27 and Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.
Runners-up at the last AFCON after a 2–1 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast, Nigeria will be aiming for a fourth continental crown, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has launched the “NAIJA 4 THE WIN” campaign, signalling renewed resolve as the Super Eagles return to continental action with the goal of reclaiming Africa’s most prestigious football prize.
