Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost 2-1 to Egypt in a final AFCON 2025 warm-up match, exposing critical defensive vulnerabilities but manager Eric Chelle has also blamed the poor officiating.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to the Pharaohs of Egypt in their final preparatory match ahead of AFCON 2025.
Played at the Cairo International Stadium, the friendly saw Egypt take an early lead through Mahmoud Saber before Chidozie Awaziem equalized for Nigeria just before halftime.
However, a second-half strike from Mostafa Mohamed—which appeared to be offside—secured the win for the hosts, leaving Nigeria with significant questions to answer.
Offisating and tactical rigidity were major talking points as head coach Eric Chelle faced criticism for the team’s lack of progression.
The Super Eagles struggled to move the ball from defense into dangerous areas, often resorting to long balls that ceded possession.
Analysts noted that “nothing came from the midfield,” leaving striker Paul Onuachu to “battle for scraps” throughout the game. Chelle will need to address these recurring tactical flaws before the tournament begins.
Despite the loss, a positive takeaway was the return of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who showed no signs of his recent injury struggles.
However, the defense remained a concern in the absence of the injured Benjamin Fredrick, with the backline appearing unconvincing when tested.
With the attack described as “toothless” and the defense shaky, the Super Eagles face a race against time to find their form before their opening continental fixture in Morocco.