Nigeria stepped up preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night as 22 Super Eagles players took part in the team’s first full training session in Cairo.
The session, supervised by head coach Eric Chelle, went ahead without key attackers Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon, who are now expected to miss Tuesday’s international friendly against Egypt.
Camp numbers rise in Cairo
The Super Eagles’ camp officially opened over the weekend with team officials and early arrivals, but Monday marked the first full training under Chelle.
Numbers increased to 22 following the arrival of Blackburn Rovers full-back Ryan Alebiosu, who earned a late call-up due to injuries to Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredrick.
Osimhen, Chukwueze among late arrivals
Despite the growing turnout, six invited players are still expected, including Osimhen, Chukwueze, Simon, Chidozie Awaziem, Usman Muhammed and Salim Fago Lawal.
With Osimhen, Simon and Chukwueze absent from training, it is now unlikely they will feature in the friendly against the Pharaohs.
Sources indicate that Osimhen and Simon are expected to rejoin the squad later in Morocco, where Nigeria will conclude their final AFCON preparations.
Focus shifts to Egypt friendly
Tuesday’s match against Egypt will allow Chelle to assess fringe and newly invited players as competition for places intensifies ahead of final squad decisions.
Nigeria will compete in Group C at AFCON 2025, opening their campaign against Tanzania on December 23, before facing Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 30.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to depart Cairo for Morocco on Thursday following the Egypt friendly.