The countdown has begun for another heavyweight clash in African football, as Egypt prepare to host the Super Eagles of Nigeria in an international friendly at the iconic Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, 14 December.
The match forms a key part of both countries’ build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and is expected to draw a sizeable crowd in the Egyptian capital.
Egypt boss Hossam Hassan has already rolled out a 28-man provisional squad, setting the tone for an intense period of preparation. The Pharaohs are due to begin training on Wednesday, with locally based players reporting first.
Their overseas contingent, which includes Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Mohamed, Hamdy Fathy and Ibrahim Adel, will link up with the squad next week once club duties are wrapped up.
Meanwhile, Hull City are working behind the scenes to keep Super Eagles defender, Semi Ajayi a little longer before he travels for AFCON duty.
Ajayi had been expected to join the Super Eagles in Morocco shortly after Hull’s home match against Wrexham on 10 December, leaving him with only two games left for the Tigers.
His superb display at Stoke City on Saturday, where he scored his first goal for the club and walked away with the Man of the Match award, has only strengthened Hull’s resolve to retain him for one more fixture.
Talks are understood to be ongoing with officials in Lagos as Hull look to keep the defender until after their visit to Millwall on 14 December.
He would then head to Heathrow for a late-night flight to link up with the national team. There are indications that FIFA will permit players to leave on or after 15 December, which would allow Ajayi to feature in the match at The Den.
