Uzoho First to Arrive as Super Eagles Begin AFCON 2025 Camp in Cairo

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have officially commenced, with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho being the first player to arrive at the Super Eagles’ training camp in Cairo, Egypt, early Sunday morning.

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the camp opened on Sunday, December 14, at the Renaissance Hotel in Cairo, where the coaching and backroom staff were already assembled.

Uzoho, who plays his club football for Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus, checked in shortly after 2 a.m. local time.

The 27-year-old’s early arrival is seen as a significant display of commitment, especially as he returns to the national team fold after a brief appearance at the previous AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

He was named in head coach Eric Sékou Chelle’s final 28-man squad despite stiff competition for the goalkeeping positions.

Nigeria’s goalkeeping trio for the tournament will consist of Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, and Uzoho. While Nwabali is considered the current number one, Uzoho offers valuable experience from the 2018 FIFA World Cup and two previous AFCON tournaments.

Uzoho’s recent form has also strengthened his position. Last Thursday, he was named Man of the Match for Omonia Nicosia after making six crucial saves to secure a 1-0 clean-sheet victory against Rapid Wien in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

The Cairo camp marks the final stage of Nigeria’s build-up before the tournament kicks off in Morocco.

The Super Eagles are set to play a friendly match against seven-time African champions Egypt on Tuesday, December 16, at the Cairo Stadium.

The match was rescheduled to adhere to FIFA rules allowing clubs to hold onto their players until December 15.

Following the friendly, the squad will travel via a chartered flight to Fès, Morocco, their base for the group stage.

The rest of the squad is expected to join the camp in the coming days as their club duties conclude across Europe.

AFCON 2025 has taken on heightened importance for the Super Eagles after the team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

That disappointment led to widespread criticism, making this tournament a crucial opportunity for Nigeria to regain supporter confidence.

Drawn in Group C, Nigeria will face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Fès.

Their campaign begins against Tanzania on December 23, followed by a clash with Tunisia on December 27, and their final group match against Uganda on December 30.