Nigeria XI vs Egypt: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for AFCON today

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Evening Standard

·17 de janeiro de 2026

Nigeria XI vs Egypt: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for AFCON today

Super Eagles sweating over the fitness of Victor Osimhen for Africa Cup of Nations third-place clash with Egypt

Nigeria will need to replace Calvin Bassey as they finish their latest Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Egypt today, while Victor Osimhen is doubtful.

Vídeos OneFootball

Bassey is suspended for the third-place game after picking up his second booking of the knockout stage against Morocco as the Super Eagles were beaten on penalties in the semi-finals.

The Fulham defender was, perhaps very harshly, shown a yellow card in the first half on Wednesday night for being adjudged to have fouled Brahim Diaz.

As a result, Bassey must serve a one-game ban, meaning he will have to watch on from the sidelines as his team-mates aim to clinch third place at AFCON 2025.

Chidozie Awaziem is the most likely option to fill in for Bassey against Egypt, with that being the change made at half-time of the final group game against Uganda.

Elsewhere, Osimhen is a doubt after sustaining an ankle injury during the loss to Morocco which forced him to be substituted in extra time, shortly before the penalty shootout.

“So since the beginning of this Africa Cup of Nations, every day at every training session we have done penalty sessions and statistically the players who took the penalties were the best, and that’s why we made changes to bring in the players who were going to shoot,” Nigeria coach Eric Chelle told reporters when explaining the Osimhen substitution.

“[Samuel] Chukwueze came on to take his penalty and even though he didn’t score.

“So when we saw the match was heading towards penalties, it was when we brought in the players who were shooting the best.

“Victor had a small injury to his ankle and that’s why we brought in Paul [Onuachu], who statistically was one of the best shooters of this period.”

Injury doubt: Victor Osimhen

AFP via Getty Images

If Osimhen is ruled out, there is the option of Akor Adams leading the line on his own with Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman operating out wide. Onuachu could also start, though Cyriel Dessers went home injured.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is available after suspension and should start in a fairly strong Nigeria team. The Super Eagles have never finished fourth at an AFCON, and have the incentive of preserving that record.

Predicted Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Awaziem, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyeka, Iwobi; Lookman, Adams, Simon

Injured: Dessers

Suspended: Bassey

Time and date: 4pm GMT on Saturday January 17, 2026

How to watch in UK: E4

Venue: Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca