Pharaohs beat Super Eagles 2-1 in AFCON warm-up

Seven-time African champions Pharaohs of Egypt claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over three-time African champions Super Eagles of Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) send-off friendly match played yesterday at the Cairo International Stadium. Like his Egyptian counterpart, Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle opted to leave most of the regulars like Wilfred Ndidi, […]

Seven-time African champions Pharaohs of Egypt claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over three-time African champions Super Eagles of Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) send-off friendly match played yesterday at the Cairo International Stadium.

Like his Egyptian counterpart, Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle opted to leave most of the regulars like Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon on the bench as he handed senior team debuts to some of the new boys.

In the 28th minute of the keenly contested match, Mahmoud Saber put the Pharaohs ahead when he tapped in Zizo’s low cross.

The Super Eagles reacted as they put pressure on their opponents for the much needed equaliser.

In the 39th minute, Frank Onyeka’s long throw caused chaos in the Egyptians’ defence but Ahmed El-Shenawy managed to tip the ball over the bar.

However, the Super Eagles found the equaliser in the second minute of first half added time when defender Chigozie Awaziem headed in from a goalmouth scramble after El-Shenawy made a hash of Sanusi’s curling free-kick on the edge of the box for the half to end in a 1-1 draw.

On resumption, Chelle introduced Ademola Lookman, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemachi, Amas Obasogie, Cyriel Dessers, Tochukwu Nnadi, and later Fago Lawal.

The Super Eagles mounted pressure on their hosts but it the Pharaohs who found the winning goal in the 53rd minute when Mostafa Mohammed scored from a cutback by Zizo, the same man who provided the first goal.