The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to take on the Pharaohs of Egypt tomorrow evening at the Cairo International Stadium, Soccernet.ng reports.
Both sides enter the clash with it as a measure of their performance ahead of the AFCON 2025 tournament, which kicks off on Sunday.
Egypt have been in questionable form of late. Four places above the Super Eagles in the FIFA rankings, the Pharaohs are without a win in their last five games, losing two and drawing three.
On the other hand, Eric Chelle’s men have secured three victories from their last five games, although the memories of the World Cup play-off against DR Congo still linger.
So far, just twelve players have arrived in Nigeria’s camp today. 11 others are expected to join up with the team before the end of today, with the first training session set to be held this evening.
Soccernet.ng predicts the Super Eagles’ lineup with the players available for the game against Egypt.
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Predicted Super Eagles Starting XI vs Egypt
Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali’s place in the Nigerian starting lineup is in question after Chippa United coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi mentioned the Nigerian goalie is struggling with wrist and ankle problems.
That puts Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie in the line of fire, but with the latter yet to debut for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Uzoho is the likeliest candidate to nail down the starting spot against the Pharaohs.
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong has bowed out after 10 years and 83 caps in the Green and White colours of Nigeria. Benjamin Frederick, tipped to be Ekong’s heir, is also out injured.
Semi Ajayi has already arrived in camp and is bound to start, most likely alongside Calvin Bassey, although the Fulham defender is still en route.
Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi are already on ground, and being regulars, should start the game against Egypt.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi is set to captain the Super Eagles in Morocco, but his athleticism isn’t what it used to be three years ago. Brentford’s Frank Onyeka plays with more energy.
Given that Onyeka has struggled for minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium, the clash against Egypt will warm him up for the AFCON tournament, since Ndidi is a regular at Besiktas.
Pisa’s Ebenezer Akinsanmiro was handed a maiden call-up for the AFCON tournament, but presents a different dynamic, a profile that has been lacking in the Super Eagles squad for a while now.
With the games in Morocco set to be one with high stakes, the only chance for Eric Chelle to see what the 21-year-old can do will be against Egypt.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru should complete the midfield trio, given he’s already in camp.
Forwards: Nigeria struggled when Victor Osimhen was taken off against DR Congo, and with Paul Onuachu already in camp, it only makes sense for Eric Chelle to try the in-form striker should anything happen to the Galatasaray striker during the AFCON tournament.
Ademola Lookman starts on the left while Akor Adams pairs Onuachu up-front.
The line-up in full: Francis Uzoho; Bright Osayi Samuel; Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi; Frank Onyeka, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro; Fisayo Ayodele-Bashiru; Ademola Lookman; Akor Adams, Paul Onuachu.