Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, will today depart Cairo, Egypt, for Fez, Morocco, as preparations intensify ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The team, led by head coach Eric Chelle, had opened its training camp in Cairo on Sunday as part of final preparations for Africa’s biggest football showpiece. The Egyptian capital served as the Super Eagles’ initial base, where the technical crew focused on tactical drills, fitness conditioning, and team cohesion.
All 28 invited players are now fully settled in camp following the arrival of star striker Victor Osimhen, who joined the squad on Wednesday night. Osimhen’s arrival completed the squad list and provided a major boost to the team as they transition into the final phase of their AFCON build-up.
The Super Eagles’ stay in Cairo included a high-profile international friendly against hosts Egypt. The encounter, played on Tuesday night at the Cairo International Stadium, ended in a 2-1 defeat for Nigeria. Despite the loss, the match offered valuable insights for the coaching crew, particularly in assessing player combinations and tactical adjustments ahead of the tournament.
Speaking after the friendly, members of the technical team described the result as secondary to the overall objective of evaluating performance levels and identifying areas requiring improvement. The match allowed Chelle to test various formations and give several players competitive minutes against strong opposition.
With the Cairo phase concluded, the Super Eagles will now shift their base to Fez, Morocco, where they will continue preparations for the tournament proper. The move to Morocco is expected to help the players acclimatise to match conditions and stadium environments similar to those they will encounter during the competition.
Fez will also serve as Nigeria’s official host city for the group stage of the tournament. The Super Eagles will play all their Group matches at the Grand Stade de Fèz, a modern facility expected to host thousands of Nigerian supporters and neutral football fans.
Nigeria has been drawn into a competitive group and will begin its AFCON campaign against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania next Tuesday. The opening fixture is seen as crucial, with the Super Eagles aiming to secure an early victory to set the tone for the rest of the group stage.
Following the clash with Tanzania, Nigeria will face Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27, in what is expected to be one of the toughest fixtures of the group. Tunisia remains one of Africa’s most consistent teams, and the encounter is likely to test Nigeria’s tactical discipline and mental strength.
The Super Eagles will conclude their group-stage matches against Uganda’s Cranes on December 30. The fixture could prove decisive in determining qualification to the knockout stages, depending on earlier results.
Coach Eric Chelle has emphasized discipline, unity, and tactical flexibility as key pillars of Nigeria’s AFCON campaign. Since assuming responsibility for the team, Chelle has worked to instil a balanced approach that blends attacking flair with defensive solidity.
Nigeria heads into the tournament with high expectations, given its rich AFCON history and abundance of talent. The Super Eagles are three-time African champions and have consistently been regarded as one of the continent’s football powerhouses. However, recent tournaments have highlighted the increasing competitiveness of African football, with traditional giants facing stiff challenges from emerging nations.
Football analysts believe the current squad possesses the quality to mount a serious title challenge, provided the players maintain focus and consistency throughout the competition. The presence of experienced internationals alongside emerging talents is seen as a positive balance for the team.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, stressing that logistics, welfare, and technical support have been carefully planned to give the players the best possible environment to succeed.
As the Super Eagles arrive in Fez, attention will shift to fine-tuning strategies, match simulations, and recovery sessions ahead of the opening game. Fans across Nigeria and the diaspora will be watching closely, hopeful that the team can deliver a strong performance and bring continental glory back home.
With the countdown to kick-off underway, Nigeria’s journey at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations officially enters its decisive phase.
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