Osimhen vs Salah: Nigeria get Egypt test ahead of 2025 AFCON

Nigeria will take on Egypt in a high-profile friendly at the Cairo International Stadium on 14 December, seven days before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports. 

According to Ahram, the Egyptian Football Association confirmed the friendly on Sunday. The Nigeria Football Federation is yet to make any pronouncement regarding the match as at press time. 

The match, arranged at the request of Egypt coach Hossam Hassan, is part of both teams’ build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

It’s a fixture that promises spectacle as, Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah, two of Africa’s finest forwards, will headline the night. Both men are chasing the one honour that has so far eluded them: the AFCON trophy.

Salah, 33, has been Egypt’s talisman for nearly a decade. Twice crowned African Footballer of the Year (2017, 2018), he remains the only Egyptian to score in four consecutive AFCON tournaments — 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

Yet, despite his brilliance, the Liverpool icon has twice finished AFCON runner-up, in 2017 and 2021. The 2025 tournament in Morocco could be his final shot at glory with the Pharaohs.

Osimhen, meanwhile, is the face of Nigeria’s modern footballing generation.

Crowned Africa’s best player in 2023, the Napoli striker powered the Super Eagles to the AFCON 2023 final and previously helped secure bronze in 2019. For him, 2025 represents a mission, to end Nigeria’s 12-year wait for a continental title.

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Egypt vs Nigeria: The pre-AFCON test

The December friendly adds another chapter to one of Africa’s most storied rivalries. The two sides have met 19 times, with Nigeria winning nine, Egypt five, and five draws. In four previous friendlies, the Super Eagles have never lost, winning two and drawing two.

Before the Cairo clash, though, Nigeria face a demanding World Cup qualifying playoff in November against Gabon, and possibly Cameroon or DR Congo.

Egypt, who have already qualified directly for the 2026 World Cup, will continue their preparations by featuring in the UAE International Tournament, where they face Uzbekistan on 14 November. Cape Verde and Iran complete the lineup after Senegal’s withdrawal.

Egypt, Africa’s oldest national team and seven-time AFCON champions, are grouped with South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe in Group B for the 2025 AFCON. Nigeria, three-time champions, will line up in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.