Egypt Edge Nigeria in High-Tempo AFCON Warm-Up Clash in Cairo
Two giants of African football went head-to-head in Cairo as Egypt and Nigeria faced off in a high-profile friendly, serving as a final dress rehearsal ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. With the tournament just days away, this match was always going to be about more than the scoreline. It was about rhythm, confidence, and final decisions for two teams carrying big expectations into Morocco.
The atmosphere inside Cairo International Stadium reflected that sense of occasion. Egypt were watched closely, especially with questions lingering over the availability of Mohamed Salah. Having only just rejoined the squad after his Liverpool duties, his involvement remained uncertain, and concerns were raised about his fitness after missing training earlier in the week. Omar Marmoush was in a similar situation. Even so, the Pharaohs looked sharp and purposeful from the opening stages, clearly keen to make a statement on home soil.
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Nigeria, on the other hand, arrived with fewer fitness worries. Their entire squad had trained together, including Victor Osimhen, and head coach Eric Chelle appeared determined to test a strong lineup. After failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, this friendly was being used as a chance to rebuild belief and fine-tune combinations before AFCON pressure kicks in.
Egypt struck first through a well-worked move that ended with Saber finishing confidently, giving the hosts a deserved lead. Nigeria looked second-best for long spells in the first half, struggling to find fluency, but a late push before the break changed the tone. A moment of hesitation at the back allowed Nigeria to level the score, ensuring the teams went into halftime all square, much to the frustration of the Egyptian bench.
The second half opened with renewed intensity. Egypt began to take control again, moving the ball quickly and finding space between the lines. That pressure paid off when Mostafa Mohamed restored the lead shortly after the restart. The goal was crafted by Zizo, who had been one of the standout performers on the night, showing creativity and composure in the build-up. It was a moment Nigeria’s goalkeeper would have preferred to forget, as the finish slipped past too easily.
Nigeria attempted to respond, raising their tempo and making changes, but their performance remained disjointed. While there were flashes of quality, cohesion was lacking, and clear chances were hard to come by. Egypt, sensing an opportunity, pushed for a third goal and looked the more settled side as the match wore on.
In the end, the result mattered less than the lessons learned. Egypt will take confidence from their attacking patterns and control, while Nigeria leave Cairo knowing improvements are needed before AFCON begins. For fans, it was an entertaining reminder of why this fixture remains one of African football’s most compelling rivalries.
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