Mahmoud Saber and Mostafa Mohamed fire focused Egypt past Nigeria in Cairo test ahead of AFCON 2025

Egypt edged Nigeria 2-1 in an intense friendly at Cairo International Stadium, a win that offered timely momentum before AFCON 2025 kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, December 21.

Hossam Hassan’s side struck first through Mahmoud Saber on 28 minutes, the Zed midfielder ghosting into the box to steer in an Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed cross, before Chidozie Awaziem levelled on the stroke of half-time with a header from a set piece.

After the break, Mostafa Mohamed restored Egypt’s lead in the 53rd minute, finishing another smart Zizo delivery to cap a classic centre-forward display built on tireless pressing and clever movement.​

Both coaches treated the night as a dress rehearsal, flooding the pitch with substitutions after the interval as Egypt switched their entire front line and Nigeria refreshed almost their whole back four at half-time.

Egypt’s reshuffled side managed the final stages with composure, limiting the Super Eagles to half-chances despite the introduction of Cyriel Dessers and other attacking options. The result will please Egyptian fans who expect their team, drawn in AFCON 2025 Group B with South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe, to challenge strongly when they open against Zimbabwe on Monday, December 22 in Agadir.​

Nigeria leave Cairo with questions but also valuable lessons as they fine-tune for a tricky Group C campaign alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.

The Super Eagles begin their AFCON journey with a heavyweight clash against Tunisia on Saturday, December 27 in Morocco, a fixture that will demand far greater defensive concentration than they showed for Egypt’s two goals.