Egyptian national football team flew to Nigeria from Niger on Sunday morning ahead of facing Super Eagles in a friendly match on Tuesday.
Egypt’s perfect run under coach Javier Aguirre came to an end after Saturday’s 1-1 away draw against Niger in the last round of the African Nations Cup qualifiers.
The Pharaohs, who have already booked a place in Africa’s flagship tournament with one match to spare, finished second in Group J with 13 points, three behind leaders Tunisia.
Egypt will be hosted by Nigeria on Tuesday in their first warm-up for this summer’s Nations Cup, which they are seeking to win for the first time since lifting the last of their record seven trophies in 2010.
Egypt was granted the tournament’s hosting rights in January after Cameroon was stripped of those rights in December.
With the Mexican coach at the helm, Egypt have won all the qualifier matches; crushing Niger 6-0, defeating eSwatini 4-1 at home and 2-0 away, and beating Tunisia 3-2, before the latest stumble in N’Djamena.
The 2019 AFCON is scheduled to take place from 21 June to 13 July, having been moved from January/February to avoid club-versus-country clashes.
Egypt won the last of their record seven AFCON titles in 2010.
Source: Ahram Online
