The stage is set for an anticipated clash in African football. Nigeria’s Super Eagles will travel to Egypt for an international friendly. This exciting match is scheduled for Sunday, December 14th. It will take place at the iconic Cairo International Stadium.
This friendly serves as a vital part of both nations’ preparations. They are both building up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). A significant crowd is expected to fill the stadium in the Egyptian capital.
Egypt’s Preparations Under Hossam Hassan
Egypt’s head coach, Hossam Hassan, has already unveiled his 28-man provisional squad. This signals an intense period of preparation for the Pharaohs. Their training camp is set to commence on Wednesday. Local players will report first to the camp.
The team’s international stars will join later. These include Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Mohamed, Hamdy Fathy, and Ibrahim Adel. They are expected to link up with the squad next week. This will happen after their club commitments conclude.
Semi Ajayi’s Club Dilemma Ahead of AFCON Duty
Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing regarding Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi. His club, Hull City, aims to retain him for a bit longer. They want him before he departs for AFCON duty.
Ajayi was initially expected to join the Super Eagles in Morocco. This was planned shortly after Hull’s home game against Wrexham on December 10th. This schedule would have left him with only two matches remaining for the Tigers.
His recent performance has been outstanding. Ajayi scored his first goal for Hull City at Stoke City on Saturday. He also earned the Man of the Match award. This superb display has strengthened Hull’s desire to keep him. They hope to retain him for one additional fixture.
Reports suggest ongoing talks with Nigerian football officials in Lagos. Hull City hopes to keep the defender until after their match at Millwall. This game is scheduled for December 14th.
Should an agreement be reached, Ajayi would then head to Heathrow. He would catch a late-night flight to join the national team. Indications suggest FIFA might permit players to leave on or after December 15th. This arrangement would allow Ajayi to feature in the Millwall match.
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