AFCON
Ahead of Morocco 2025: Nigeria, Egypt Renew AFCON Rivalry in Cairo Friendly
By Kunle Solaja.
Three-time African champions Nigeria and record seven-time winners Egypt will lock horns at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday evening in a high-profile friendly designed to fine-tune both teams ahead of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals, which kick off in Morocco on Sunday.
The clash offers both coaches an early opportunity to assess squad depth and blend experience with new faces as preparations intensify for the continental showpiece.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Sékou Chelle is expected to hand opportunities to several newcomers, with goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Usman Muhammed, Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, and forwards Paul Onuachu and Salim Fago Lawal all in contention for game time.
On the Egyptian side, head coach Hossam Hassan — an AFCON legend — will be keen to gauge his squad’s readiness. Hassan famously scored seven goals as Egypt lifted the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso, finishing as joint top scorer alongside South Africa’s Benni McCarthy.
The Pharaohs’ game plan is expected to revolve around Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who, despite an impressive club career and numerous trophies, is still chasing his first AFCON title. He is supported by Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, Al Ahly regulars Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Emam Ashour and Mahmoud Trezeguet.
Also in the Egyptian squad are CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC duo Mohamed Hamdy and Mostafa Fathi, UAE-based Ibrahim Adel and FC Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed.
For Nigeria, Chelle is likely to rely on a strong core of established players including goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali; defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi; midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi; and attacking threats Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
As of Monday afternoon, 17 of the 28 players named in Nigeria’s final squad list had arrived in Cairo, with more expected ahead of the team’s training session later in the evening.
The friendly match is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm Egypt time (7:00 pm Nigeria time) and is expected to provide a fierce but valuable rehearsal for both African heavyweights ahead of AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
Egypt v Nigeria: Tale of the Tape
TEAMS P W D L F A Egypt 21 7 7 7 32 28 Nigeria 21 7 7 7 28 32
Egypt – Nigeria Clashes Across The Ages
DATE COMPETITION, VENUE MATCHES 13 December 1959 Olympic Qualifier, Lagos Nigeria 2-6 Egypt (UAR) 1 January 1960 Olympic Qualifier, Cairo Egypt (UAR) 3-0 Nigeria 29 November 1960 Friendly, Lagos Nigeria 1-2 Egypt 24 November 1963 AFCON, Kumasi Egypt 6-3 Nigeria 14 January 1973 2nd All Africa Games, Lagos Nigeria 4-2 Egypt 14 March 1976 AFCON, Addis Ababa Egypt 2-3 Nigeria 8 October 1977 World Cup qualifier, Lagos Nigeria 4-0 Egypt 21 October 1977 World Cup qualifier, Cairo Egypt 3-1 Nigeria 15 March 1980 AFCON, Lagos Nigeria 1-0 Egypt 18 February 1983 Friendly, Lagos Nigeria 0-0 Egypt 20 February 1983 Friendly, Kaduna Nigeria 1-1Egypt 14 March 1984 AFCON, Abidjan Egypt 2-2 Nigeria. 7-8 after PSO 20 March 1988 AFCON, Rabat Egypt 0-0 Nigeria 5 March 1990 AFCON Algiers Egypt 0-1 Nigeria 30 March 1994 AFCON, Tunis Egypt 0-0 Nigeria 25 November 2002 Friendly, Lagos Nigeria 1-1 Egypt 12 January 2010 AFCON, Benguela Egypt 3-1 Nigeria 25 March 2016 AFCON qualifier, Kaduna Nigeria 1-1 Egypt 29 March 2016 AFCON qualifier, Cairo Egypt 1-0 Nigeria 26 March 2019 Friendly, Asaba Nigeria 1-0 Egypt 11 January 2022 AFCON, Garoua Egypt 0-1 Nigeria
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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