AFCON Friendly: Super Eagles Camp Hits 24 in Cairo Ahead of Egypt Clash

The Super Eagles’ camp in Cairo has grown to 24 players with the arrival of Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, new invitee Salim Fago and Chidozie Awaziem, as Nigeria intensifies preparations for Tuesday’s international friendly against Egypt.

It was gathered that Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman, as well as defenders Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, reported to camp earlier on Monday at the team’s Renaissance Hotel base.

Also in camp are goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Igoh Ogbu and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi, who joined early arrivals Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, revealed that 20 players featured in the team’s first training session held on Monday evening.

He said the session was smooth, adding that the players showed good energy and commitment at this stage of preparations.

Efoghe disclosed that Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Alebiosu arrived shortly after training, bringing the number of players in camp to 22 at the time, with six more expected to join subsequently.

He said the friendly match against the Pharaohs of Egypt, scheduled for Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium, would give the technical crew the opportunity to assess the team’s readiness ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, will take on seven-time winners Egypt at 8pm Egypt time (7pm Nigeria time) as part of build-up to the 35th edition of the tournament in Morocco.

Efoghe also confirmed that the team would depart Cairo for Féz on Thursday aboard a chartered flight to continue final preparations.

The Super Eagles will begin their quest for a fourth continental title on December 23 against Tanzania, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

They will also face Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 30 in Group C, with all matches to be played at the Complexe Sportif de Féz.

Egypt, the most successful nation in the competition’s history and the only side to win the title three times consecutively, are drawn in Group B alongside South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe, with their matches slated for Agadir.