FIFA’s decision allowing Clubs to retain their players until Monday, 15 December 2025 before releasing them for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has forced the rescheduling of the planned pre-AFCON friendly between Nigeria and Egypt.
Both Egypt, a seven-time champion, and Nigeria, a three-time champion, were initially set to meet in a warm-up match in Cairo on Sunday, 14 December, based on the earlier rule that required players to be released sooner.
The fixture has now been shifted to Tuesday, 16 December due to the updated regulation.
In addition to the new date, the match will now serve as a practice session so both teams can field more than five substitutes. The game is set to begin at 8pm Egypt time (7pm Nigeria time) at the Cairo Stadium.
The Super Eagles compete in Group C of the AFCON finals with 2004 champions Tunisia, 1978 finalists Uganda, and Tanzania. Nigeria’s opener comes up on Tuesday, 23 December against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars at the Complexe Sportif de Fes, where they will also face Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on Saturday, 27 December and Uganda’s Cranes on Tuesday, 30 December.
Egypt, hosts of the 2019 edition, are placed in Group B with 1996 hosts and champions South Africa, 2010 hosts Angola, and Zimbabwe. Their games will take place at the Stade d’Agadir.