Egypt vs Nigeria Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The third place playoff of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations is not one that either side will want to play but Egypt do take on Nigeria after their semi-final heartache in midweek.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo
Egypt preview: Edged out Egypt
Under the management of Hossam Hassan, Egypt have been much-improved in the last year or so as the Pharaohs prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and they put in some strong and impressive performances to reach the semi-finals of AFCON.
However, in their semi-final the other day, the Egyptians succumbed to a slender 1-0 defeat to the Senegalese in Tangier, with former Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane scoring the only goal of the game in the 78th minute of the match.
Nigeria preview: Stronger Super Eagles
Nigeria, with former Mali boss Eric Chelle at the helm, didn’t qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but had improved over the course of this year and the star studded Super Eagles were again impressive in this tournament.
However, after further in-fighting, the Nigerians again put in an impressive performance against hosts and pre-tournament favourites Morocco in the semi-finals, eventually succumbing to a penalty shootout loss to the Atlas Lions.
Egypt team news: Likely rotation
Egypt are expected to rotate but it would still be a shock to see either Mohamed Salah or Omar Marmoush drop out, while defender Hossam Abdelmaguid is missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): El Shenawy; Sobhi, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh; Lasheen, Fathi; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet; Mostafa Mohamed
Unavailable: Abdelmaguid (Suspended), Hamdi (Injured)
Questionable:
Nigeria team news: Bassey suspended
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey put in an excellent performance against the Moroccans the other day but he is missing through suspension with Nigeria expected to heavily rotate in the playoff.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Uzoho; Osayi-Samuel, Awaziem, Ajayi, Onyemaechi; Onyedika; Dele-Bashiru, Akinsanmiro; Ejuke; Simon, Onuachu
Unavailable: Bassey (Suspended), Ndidi (Injured), Dessers (Injured)
Questionable:
Egypt vs Nigeria prediction
It can often be the case that these games are entertaining to watch with neither side overly focused and both fancying simply having a bit of fun, at least that is case with FIFA World Cups. Egypt are expected to play an even more attacking side this time around, while Nigeria have an abundance of options in the final third and so both teams scoring may well be a good bet for the penultimate match of this year’s tournament.
Egypt vs Nigeria tip: Both teams to score
