Egypt vs Nigeria Prediction: Will Mohamed Salah Feature in This International Friendly?

As the Africa Cup of Nations draws closer, two powerhouses of African football are set to test each other in a friendly contest. Nigeria travels to Egypt to take on the Pharaohs before heading to Morocco for the main tournament. Find out who will come on top in this Egypt vs Nigeria prediction, Egypt vs Nigeria preview, along with knowing Egypt vs Nigeria predicted lineups and Egypt vs Nigeria injuries.

Egypt vs Nigeria Preview

The Egypt national football team had a pretty underwhelming FIFA Arab Cup campaign. Despite missing the key stars, they were supposed to make it out of the group stages at least. Hossam Hassan's men failed to win a single game and crashed out of the group stages. However, they will face the Super Eagles without star attackers who will only be released by European clubs on 15th December, a day before the friendly.

The Nigeria national football team, meanwhile, face the same problem as they have multiple players in Europe. After their hopes of playing at the World Cup ended with a brutal penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the CAF Play-off final, this AFCON is a huge chance for them to win some silverware and get themselves on the right track. They will be buoyed by the returns of key men from injuries.

Egypt vs Nigeria Match Info

Match Name: International Friendly

Stadium Name: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt

Kickoff: 20:00 EEST, 16th December 2025

Egypt Team News

The stars like Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed are expected to link up with the squad on the day of the game. Depending on their fitness, they can be expected to start on the bench.

Egypt Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Shenawy

Defenders: Hany, Sohi, Hamdy, Fatouh

Midfielders: Attia, Fathi

Forwards: Trezeguet, Zizo, Fathi, Faisal

Nigeria Team News

Nigeria will be breathing easy, knowing Stanley Nwabali, their first-choice goalkeeper, is back to full fitness. Eric Chelle's squad has a strong contingent arriving from Europe. Victor Osimhen and Victor Moses are expected to join the squad in Morocco and might not be available for this clash. The manager is expected to field an experimental XI against Egypt.

Nigeria Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Nwabali

Defenders: Onyemaechim Sanusi, Ogbu, Alebiosu

Midfielders: Ndidi, Muhammed

Forwards: Ejuke, Adams, Onuachu; Lawal

Egypt vs Nigeria Injuries

Egypt have no injuries heading into AFCON. Nigeria, however, have few concerns in that department.

Nigeria Injury List

Here are Nigeria's injuries heading into this friendly

Egypt vs Nigeria Prediction

Given that Nigeria will be without multiple key starters in attack and defence, we can expect Egypt to take full advantage of their home support. They will be keen to get a victory on their home soil in their dress rehearsal before the main event. However, for the youngsters in Nigeria, there is no better time than now to prove themselves and find a spot in the starting XI during the main tournament.

SportsDunia's Egypt vs Nigeria Prediction: Egypt 2-1 Nigeria