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African football giants Egypt and Nigeria will undertake their final AFCON preparations with a friendly meeting in Cairo on Tuesday.
Egypt are the most successful team in Africa Cup of Nations history, with seven successes. However, the last of these triumphs was back in 2010, and Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah would dearly love to add a major international trophy to his glittering career haul.
Nigeria are still smarting from World Cup qualifying elimination and head coach Eric Chelle will need a strong showing in Morocco, if not victory outright, to hold onto his job.
The Sporting News will provide live score updates from Egypt vs. Nigeria and a match report at full-time.
MORE: Full list of all-time Africa Cup of Nations champions
Egypt vs. Nigeria live score
1st HalfGoalscorersEgypt1Saber 28′Nigeria1Awaziem 45+2′
Location: Cairo International Stadium (Cairo, Egypt)
Referee: Mahmoud Nagi (EGY)
Confirmed lineups:
Egypt (4-1-3-2, right to left): El-Shenawy (GK) — Hany, Abdelmaguid, Ibrahim, Aboul-Fetouh— Attia — Ashour, Fathy, Saber — Mostafa, Zizo
Nigeria (4-3-3, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osayi-Samuel, Awaziem, Ogbu, Sanusi — Onyeka, Akinsanmiro, Onyedika —Dele-Bashiru, Onuachu, Ejuke
Egypt vs. Nigeria highlights from pre-AFCON friendly
Halftime
The teams head in all square, with Awaziem’s leveller the last action of the half.
45+2 mins: GOAL! Awaziem equalises for the Super Eagles!
Sanusi’s delayed free-kick from the right spins up off a combination of El-Shenawy and his near post, leaving Awaziem with the simple task of nodding into an empty net.
41 mins: Nigeria almost level! Onuachu rises highest to glance Onyeka’s long throw-in goalwards. The backpedalling El-Shenawy makes a magnificent save, tipping over the bar.
28 mins: GOAL! Saber gives Egypt the lead!
Excellent work by Zizo down the right channel, leaving Sanusi in his wake. The low cross leaves Saber with a tap-in.
Egypt vs. Nigeria kick off time
This international friendly match kicks off at Cairo International Stadium on December 16 at 8 p.m. local time in Cairo, Egypt. Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
DateKickoff timeUSA/CanadaTue, Dec. 161 p.m. ETUSA/CanadaTue, Dec. 1610 a.m. PTUKTue, Dec. 166 p.m. GMTAustraliaWed, Dec. 175 a.m. AEDTIndiaTue, Dec. 1611:30 p.m. IST
Egypt vs. Nigeria lineups, team news
Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush are unlikely to feature after the Liverpool and Manchester City forwards arrived from club duty as planned.
Trezeguet missed training on Monday after undergoing dental work, while Ibrahim Adel is still nursing an ankle sprain. Both are expected to be fine for the Pharaohs’ tournament opener against Zimbabwe.
Egypt starting lineup (4-1-3-2): El-Shenawy (GK) — Hany, Abdelmaguid, Ibrahim, Aboul-Fetouh— Attia — Ashour, Fathy, Saber — Mostafa, Zizo
First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was a doubt for Nigeria due to wrist and ankle soreness but was passed fit to start.
Frank Onyeka gets a start in midfield after struggling for game time at Brentford. Paul Onuachu starts up front, with Victor Osimhen one of the late arrivals in camp.
Nigeria starting lineup (4-3-3): Nwabali (GK) — Osayi-Samuel, Awaziem, Ogbu, Sanusi — Onyeka, Akinsanmiro, Onyedika —Dele-Bashiru, Onuachu, Ejuke
Nigeria AFCON schedule
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C at AFCON 2025 alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.
Nigeria AFCON fixtures
- 12/23/25: Nigeria vs. Tanzania (Fez Stadium, Fez)
- 12/27/25: Nigeria vs. Tunisia (Fez Stadium, Fez)
- 12/30/25: Uganda vs. Nigeria (Fez Stadium, Fez)
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