Egypt defeated Nigeria 2-1 in a pre-Africa Cup of Nations friendly at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday, as both teams finished their final preparations for the event.

Ahmed Saber gave the hosts the lead in the 28th minute following Zizo’s fine movement down the right, where his low cross found the midfielder unmarked for a close-range goal. Nigeria replied with renewed intensity and came near before the break, with Paul Onuachu forcing a fine save from Mohamed El-Shenawy with a glancing header off Frank Onyeka’s long throw.

The Super Eagles were rewarded in first-half stoppage time when Chidozie Awaziem equalized. Zaidu Sanusi’s delayed free kick from the right caused confusion between El-Shenawy and his near post, allowing Awaziem to nod into an empty net to bring Nigeria level at halftime.

Egypt regained the lead eight minutes after the restart, when Mostafa Mohamed capitalized on a badly coordinated Nigerian offside trap, continuing his run before shooting past Amas Obasogie.

Nigeria increased their energy as the game progressed, but they were unable to produce a second equaliser against an organised Egyptian defence, and the hosts held on to win.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Obasogie made their unofficial debuts, while Nwabali began despite wrist and ankle pain. Frank Onyeka made a rare start in midfield, and Onuachu headed the line, with Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, and Moses Simon still to arrive.

Nigeria will travel to Morocco on Thursday to focus fully on the competition. They have been drawn in Group C of AFCON 2025 alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, with their first match against Tanzania set for December 23 in Fez.