After Egypt loss, Super Eagles set to leave Cairo for Fes - Is Nigeria ready for AFCON 2025?

Nigeria were edged 2-1 by the Pharaohs in an international friendly at the Cairo Stadium on Tuesday night, a game that served as both teams’ final tune-up before the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2025, kicks off on Sunday.

It was a night of experimentation and lessons for head coach Eric Chelle, who handed Nigeria an unfamiliar formation for the first time during his tenure - a three-at-the-back system.

Nevertheless, the Super Eagles started well, controlling possession and showing balance in the opening exchanges before the hosts grew into the game through sharp counterattacks. 

Egypt’s pressure finally paid off midway through the first half when they took the lead after finding a way behind the Eagles backline through a flat-footed Zaidu Sanusi.

Nigeria responded well to going behind, with composure and steeze, as they searched for the equaliser, threatening via setpieces -throw-ins and corners. 

Just before the break, the threats paid off, the left back, Sanusi, who slept for Egypt’s goal, delivered a wicked low ball from the right which the home side’s goalkeeper failed to deal with, leaving Chidozie Awaziem, the stand-in skipper for the night, to calmly guide the ball home with his head to make it 1-1 at the break.

Chelle made changes for the second half, including a change of shape, to a more traditional four at the back, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali leaving for Tanzania-based Amas Obasogie. 

That move turned out to be ill-timed as Obasogie committed a terrible howler to give Egypt a second goal and restore their lead early in the second half, though the Pharaohs goal appeared to have been offside which was waved aside despite protests. 

A frustrating night took another turn when Chelle was booked for throwing tantrums on the touchline, especially after the referee ignored another incident, this time a potential penalty after an Egypt defender cleared another set piece with his hand.

Egypt defended their lead better this time and held on to the end as Nigeria’s push for a second equaliser proved elusive.

With the friendly now over the line, Nigeria Super Eagles have turned attention fully to the AFCON 2025. The team is scheduled to fly out of Cairo for Fes on Thursday aboard a chartered flight, according to the NFF, where they will base for the matches in Group C.

Nigeria will take on Tanzania first before taking on another North African side Tunisia, and finish off with Uganda.

The loss to Egypt raises questions about Nigeria's readiness, but is there need for the panic button yet? Regardless, the real test begins when the tournament starts, and the move to Morocco means the squad needs to shake off the defeat and focus on what actually counts, group stage survival.