Egypt ended a nine-year winless run against Nigeria with a 2-1 victory in an international friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday.
The Pharaohs took the lead through Mahmoud Saber in the first half before Chidozie Awaziem restored parity for the Super Eagles. However, Mostafa Mohamed’s second-half strike proved decisive, handing Egypt a rare triumph over their West African rivals.
The match was Nigeria’s sole warm-up ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, giving head coach Eric Chelle a final chance to assess his squad under competitive conditions.
Despite just two full training sessions together, Nigeria began with confidence, controlling possession early and imposing themselves on the match. Chelle deployed his preferred 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Stanley Nwabali in goal and a back four of Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, Awaziem, and Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro earned his first Super Eagles cap in midfield, supported by Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Frank Onyeka. Paul Onuachu partnered Chidera Ejuke up front.
Nigeria enjoyed spells of dominance, with Osayi-Samuel’s pace helping relieve pressure and Onuachu holding the ball well. Ejuke showed flashes of creativity but lacked cutting final passes.
Egypt exposed Nigeria’s left flank repeatedly, and in the 27th minute, Zizo’s run to the byline set up Saber, who finished into an empty net. Nigeria responded quickly, and Awaziem’s close-range header from a Sanusi free-kick rebound made it 1-1 at halftime.
Chelle introduced Amas Obasogie, Ademola Lookman, Bruno Onyemaechi, Cyriel Dessers, and debutant Tochukwu Nnadi at the break, with Semi Ajayi replacing Awaziem. The substitutions unsettled Nigeria, and Egypt retook the lead in the 52nd minute through Mostafa Mohamed amid Nigerian offside appeals.
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Nigeria pressed for an equaliser, with Lookman driving forward and Onuachu dominating aerial duels. Set-pieces and long throw-ins created chances, but Dessers, Dele-Bashiru, and Onuachu could not convert. Egypt held on to secure their first victory over Nigeria since 2016.
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The Super Eagles remain in Cairo until Thursday before flying to Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations, where they open their campaign against Tanzania on Tuesday, December 23.
