Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations preparations gathered pace in Cairo on Sunday as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Akinsanmiro Ebenezer arrived at the Super Eagles’ training base, boosting squad numbers and lifting the tempo inside camp ahead of a crucial warm-up against Egypt.
The arrivals signal the gradual assembly of Eric Chelle’s squad as Nigeria sharpens focus on AFCON 2025.
Early Arrivals Begin to Shape the Camp Mood
Italy-based Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Akinsanmiro Ebenezer touched down in Egypt earlier on Sunday, becoming the latest players to report for national duty.
Their arrival was confirmed by Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe, who has been providing regular updates from camp.
With the duo checking in, the number of players on ground rose to four. Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali had arrived earlier, allowing the technical crew to begin light sessions and informal meetings.
It’s still early days.
Training intensity remains controlled, with the coaching staff prioritising recovery from club commitments and travel fatigue before ramping things up.
More Reinforcements Expected as Camp Fills Out
The camp is expected to get significantly busier.
Efoghe disclosed that six additional players were due to arrive later on Sunday night, a move that would take the squad close to full strength.
Those expected include Igoh Ogbu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tochukwu Nnadi, Amas Obasogie, Ademola Lookman, and Semi Ajayi.
Each arrival adds a different layer.
Osayi-Samuel brings energy and flexibility on the flanks, Lookman adds pace and directness in attack, while Semi Ajayi’s presence strengthens the defensive unit. Together, they represent the spine of a squad balancing experience with form.
One sentence sums up the feeling around camp.
The wait is almost over.
Friendly Against Egypt Offers First Real Test
Nigeria’s first on-field test comes quickly.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face hosts Egypt in an international friendly on Tuesday, December 16. The match is part of final preparations before the tournament kicks off and offers Chelle his first real chance to assess combinations.
Facing Egypt is no casual tune-up.
Even in a friendly setting, matches between Nigeria and Egypt tend to carry edge, pride, and tactical intrigue. For the Super Eagles, it’s a chance to test defensive shape, midfield balance, and sharpness in front of goal under pressure.
For players still fighting for a starting role, minutes on Tuesday could matter a lot.
The coaching staff is expected to rotate heavily, using the game more as an evaluation tool than a result-driven contest.
Eric Chelle’s Early Focus on Balance and Discipline
Head coach Eric Chelle has kept a low profile since camp opened, but sources close to the team say his early messaging has been clear.
Structure comes first.
Chelle is understood to be stressing compactness between the lines, quick transitions, and positional discipline, especially in midfield. With players arriving at different times, training sessions so far have been brief and largely tactical.
That will change fast.
Once the full squad assembles, intensity is expected to rise, particularly with AFCON conditions in mind. Cairo’s climate, pitch conditions, and match scheduling are all being factored into training loads.
One official described the mood as calm but serious.
Group C Presents Familiar Names and Fresh Challenges
After the Egypt friendly, attention will turn fully to competitive action.
Nigeria will open its AFCON 2025 Group C campaign against Tanzania on Tuesday, December 23. On paper, the Super Eagles enter as favourites, but history has taught Nigerian fans to avoid easy assumptions.
Group C also features Tunisia, champions of the 2004 edition, and Uganda.
It’s a group with variety.
Tunisia bring tournament know-how and tactical organisation, Uganda offer physicality and momentum from recent qualifiers, while Tanzania remain unpredictable. For Nigeria, early points will be critical to avoid unnecessary pressure later in the group.
A slow start could complicate everything.
Midfield Arrivals Highlight Tactical Possibilities
The arrival of Dele-Bashiru and Akinsanmiro is particularly notable.
Dele-Bashiru has enjoyed steady growth in Italy, offering a mix of physical presence and ball progression. Akinsanmiro, younger but technically confident, provides a different profile, more about tempo and distribution.
Their inclusion hints at options.
Chelle could opt for a double pivot in tougher games or push one higher in matches where Nigeria dominates possession. Flexibility in midfield has often been Nigeria’s missing link in recent tournaments.
Having choices changes conversations.
It also raises competition levels, which coaches quietly love.
Goalkeeping Situation Settles, At Least for Now
With Uzoho and Nwabali already in camp, the goalkeeping department is taking shape.
Both have international experience, though debates around Nigeria’s long-term number one remain. For this tournament, clarity matters more than theory.
Early arrival gives goalkeepers an edge.
They get more time to adjust to defensive setups, work on communication, and adapt to match conditions. That preparation can make a difference in tight AFCON games where margins are thin.
Sometimes, one save changes everything.
Fans Watch Closely as Expectations Build Again
Back home, Super Eagles fans are watching developments with cautious optimism.
AFCON tournaments have a habit of stirring strong emotions in Nigeria, from high hopes to sharp criticism. Each camp update, arrival photo, or training clip draws reaction online.
There’s belief, but also restraint.
Recent tournaments have shown that talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. Organisation, fitness, and decision-making under pressure matter just as much.
For now, supporters seem content seeing players arrive, one by one, with no major injury scares reported.
That alone feels like progress.
Countdown Begins as Focus Shifts to Tanzania Clash
As Sunday night arrivals filter in and Monday training sessions begin, the countdown truly starts.
The Egypt friendly will offer clues, but the real judgement comes when Nigeria faces Tanzania in competitive action. Three points there could set the tone for the entire campaign.
The camp in Cairo may still be settling, but the direction is clear. Preparation time is short, expectations are familiar, and the Super Eagles once again carry the weight of a nation into Africa’s biggest football stage.
