The much-anticipated international friendly between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt has been shifted from December 14 to December 16.
The rescheduling follows FIFA’s decision, which allows clubs to retain their players until Monday, December 15, before releasing them for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The new regulation made the original date unworkable, prompting both federations to adjust the fixture.
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Egypt, seven-time African champions and three-time AFCON winners, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were initially set to clash in Cairo on Sunday, December 14, as part of their pre-AFCON preparations. The match will now take place on Tuesday, December 16.
In addition to the date change, the game will now be played as a practice match, enabling both teams to use more than five substitutes.
Kick-off remains scheduled for 7pm Nigeria time at the Cairo Stadium.
Nigeria’s AFCON campaign will begin in Group C, where they will face 2004 champions Tunisia, 1978 finalists Uganda, and Tanzania. The Super Eagles open their tournament on Tuesday, December 23, against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès before meeting Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 30.
Egypt, hosts of the 2019 AFCON, are drawn in Group B alongside South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. All their group matches will be played at the Stade d’Agadir.
The schedule change means Nigeria must now completely overhaul their preparation plans. The Super Eagles had originally planned to open camp in Cairo on December 10, play their warm-up games, and then depart for Morocco, a timeline no longer feasible under FIFA’s updated release rule.
