Egypt vs Nigeria Prediction 16.12.2025 | International Friendlies

Egypt left a rather underwhelming impression at the FIBA Arab Cup, bowing out at the group stage after failing to taste victory in any of their opening three matches. Their meager two-point haul proved insufficient to secure a spot among the top two, leaving fans disappointed.

However, this should not be taken as a serious reflection of the Pharaohs’ quality. Egypt fielded a second-string squad without their star players, meaning the first-choice team will be eager to make a decisive statement at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, where the nation has endured a trophy drought since 2010.

Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah and his national teammates will be looking to test themselves against potential trophy contenders Nigeria in a crucial dress rehearsal ahead of AFCON. Yet, the Pharaohs’ recent form has been far from dazzling, going five matches without a win — excluding a penalty shootout victory over Cape Verde in a friendly last November.

Al-Wakrah midfielder Hamdy Fathy is expected to miss the friendly against Nigeria to fully recover from a muscle injury and will be the only key absentee that coach Hossam Hassan will have to navigate on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Nigeria return to international duty carrying a heavy burden on their shoulders, following the bitter disappointment of November when they fell to DR Congo in a penalty shootout in the qualifiers, missing out on a place at the 2026 World Cup.

The loss was a crushing blow for the Super Eagles, widely regarded as one of the continent’s most formidable sides, and they will now be determined to redeem themselves in front of their passionate supporters through a triumphant campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Their last genuine opportunity to lift the AFCON trophy came in the 2023 edition, but Nigeria squandered a slim first-half lead and ultimately succumbed 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast, extending their wait for continental glory since 2013.

On the personnel front, Dender defender Benjamin Fredrick was left out of the squad due to recent injury concerns, with Ryan Alebiosu of Blackburn Rovers earning his maiden call-up to potentially fill the right-back role and inject fresh energy into the squad.