The Super Eagles’ camp in Cairo has grown to 22 players with the arrival of Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, as Nigeria steps up preparations for an international friendly against Egypt ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman and defenders Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel reported to camp earlier on Monday at the Renaissance Hotel, joining a steadily increasing squad.
Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Igoh Ogbu, and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi were also among the latest arrivals to bolster the team.
They linked up with early arrivals Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who had checked in on Sunday.
Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe said that 20 players participated in the team’s first training session, which was held on Monday evening.
“Training went smoothly, and the players showed good energy and commitment, which is encouraging at this stage of preparations,” Efoghe said.
He added that Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Ryan Alebiosu arrived shortly after the training session, bringing the number of players in camp to 22, with six more players expected.
As part of preparations for the tournament, Efoghe said the Super Eagles would face the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly match on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.
“The friendly will help the technical crew assess team shape and readiness ahead of the AFCON challenge,” he said.
Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, and seven-time winners Egypt will clash at 8 p.m. Egypt time (7 p.m. Nigeria time) today, Tuesday, in the build-up to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled to hold in Morocco.
Efoghe also confirmed that the Super Eagles will depart Cairo for Féz on Thursday aboard a chartered flight to continue final preparations.
Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental title, following previous triumphs in 1980, 1994, and 2013, begins on Dec. 23 against Tanzania, under the team’s campaign theme, “NAIJA 4 THE WIN.”
The Super Eagles will also face Tunisia on Dec. 27 and Uganda on Dec. 30 in Group C, with all matches scheduled to be played at the Complexe Sportif de Féz.
Meanwhile, Egypt, the only nation to win the AFCON three consecutive times, will compete against South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe in Group B, with matches set to be held in Agadir.
