The Super Eagles will unveil their final 25-man squad for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco on Thursday, December 11, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) deadline, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed yesterday. Meanwhile, the postponed pre-AFCON friendly against Egypt has been rescheduled for December 16 in Cairo.
Sources close to coach Eric Sekou Chelle told NationSport that the Franco-Malian trainer is putting the finishing touches on the squad ahead of the continental tournament.
“The final squad for the AFCON will be out on Thursday, December 11,” the source said.
The NFF said the friendly’s rescheduling followed FIFA’s ruling allowing clubs to retain their players until Monday, December 15, ahead of the AFCON finals. The match, originally set for December 14, was shifted to accommodate the revised player release window.
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“Seven-time winners Egypt and three-time winners Nigeria were to meet in a tune-up game in Cairo on Sunday, December 14, under previous regulations that required earlier player release. The match has now been moved to Tuesday, December 16,” the NFF said. “Additionally, the game will serve as a practice match, permitting the use of more than five substitutes. Kickoff is 8pm Egypt time (7pm Nigeria time) at Cairo Stadium.”
In Morocco, the Super Eagles are drawn in Group C alongside 2004 champions Tunisia, 1978 runners-up Uganda, and Tanzania. Nigeria opens its campaign against the Taifa Stars on Tuesday, December 23, at the Complexe Sportif de Fes, before facing Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on Saturday, December 27, and Uganda’s Cranes on Tuesday, December 30.
Egypt, who hosted the 2019 finals, are in Group B with 1996 winners South Africa, 2010 hosts Angola, and Zimbabwe. Their matches will take place at Stade d’Agadir.
