The Super Eagles will set up camp in Egypt starting 10 December as part of their preparations for Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
The decision confirms earlier reports from local media that Egypt would host Nigeria’s pre-tournament training base before their departure to Morocco, where the tournament will be held. Sources indicate that training officially begins on Wednesday, 10 December.
The camp is expected to include a high-profile friendly match against the host nation Egypt national football team on 14 December in Cairo a final tune-up before the Afcon campaign kicks off.
Editorial
There is a quiet calculation behind the choice of Egypt for Nigeria’s AFCON build-up and it speaks to a sense of realism often lacking in African football. By relocating to Cairo in early December, the Super Eagles are seeking more than comfort. They’re seeking clarity, cohesion, calm.
Egypt offers a climate, a cultural rhythm, and a competitive environment not far from what awaits in Morocco without the intensity of a tournament crowd bearing down. It gives travelling players a chance to settle, to recalibrate, to rebuild confidence far from the unforgiving spotlights of expectation.
The friendly against Egypt isn’t mere ceremony it is a stern rehearsal. For a side accustomed to the capricious swirl of club commitments and continental pressure, such a match offers a precious opportunity to test tactical shape, sharpen mental resolve, and calibrate cohesion before the true battle begins.
A camp’s location matters less than what transpires within it. Yet setting the right tone discipline, focus, unity demands an environment that encourages introspection before ignition. In choosing Egypt, the Super Eagles demonstrate prudence not flashy, but thoughtful. If the players, staff, and officials treat this as more than logistics treat it as foundation then what begins in Cairo could echo deep into Morocco. Nigeria may not be going for comfort they’re pacing for purpose.
Did You Know?
- The move to Egypt continues a growing trend: recent AFCON tournaments have seen teams set up training bases outside their home countries to ensure better preparation and reduce distractions.
- Egypt’s infrastructure including training grounds and accommodation makes it one of the few African nations frequently used as a pre-tournament camp for visiting national teams.
- The friendly against Egypt will mark a rare high-stakes encounter between Nigeria and Egypt just before a major tournament providing the Super Eagles with a realistic test ahead of Group C matches.
- Under the new “base-camp” system introduced for AFCON 2025, teams are allowed to pre-camp outside the host nation before traveling meaning the Super Eagles’ move to Egypt doesn’t conflict with the official base camp they’ll use during the tournament in Morocco.
- Nigeria’s early camp start (December 10) means the squad will have around ten days together before facing Egypt a window that could be crucial for building team cohesion, especially given the mix of domestic and foreign-based players in the squad.
