Nigeria’s Super Eagles capped their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a high note, edging Egypt’s Pharaohs 4–2 on penalties to secure the bronze medal after a pulsating third-place playoff at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
After 90 minutes of tense, goalless football, the contest was decided from the spot, where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali once again emerged as the hero.
The shot-stopper produced crucial saves from Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush, sealing Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish at the AFCON and preserving their flawless record in bronze medal matches.
Interim coach opted for a rotated starting line-up, leaving key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman on the bench.
Nwabali kept his place between the sticks, protected by a back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi, and Bruno Onyemaechi. In midfield, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru partnered Raphael Onyedika, while skipper Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze provided width in support of Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams up front.
The Super Eagles started on the front foot and carved out the first clear chance in the 13th minute when Adams’ effort took a deflection and went behind for a corner.
The early spark soon gave way to a tightly contested battle, with both defences largely nullifying attacking threats.
Nigeria thought they had broken the deadlock in the 36th minute when Adams powered home a header, but celebrations were cut short after a VAR review ruled the goal out for a foul in the build-up.
Onuachu was adjudged to have elbowed an Egyptian defender and was subsequently booked.
At the interval, the scores remained level, and Lookman replaced Onuachu at the start of the second half.
The substitution almost paid immediate dividends, as the Atalanta forward found the net moments after the restart, only for the effort to be disallowed for offside.
As Nigeria pushed for a winner, Alex Iwobi was introduced for Osayi-Samuel, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. With neither side able to find a breakthrough, the match drifted inevitably to penalties.
The shootout began nervously for Nigeria, with Dele-Bashiru missing the opening kick.
Nwabali, however, quickly swung momentum in Nigeria’s favour by denying Salah.
Adams restored Nigeria’s advantage before the goalkeeper struck again, saving Marmoush’s attempt. Simon and Iwobi converted confidently, and although Mahmud Sabir briefly kept Egypt alive, Lookman calmly dispatched the decisive penalty to secure victory for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria had booked their place in the playoff after a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties, while Egypt were edged out 1–0 by Senegal in the last four.
The Super Eagles’ route to the playoff saw them dominate Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, before overcoming Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout stages.
Seven-time champions Egypt advanced from Group B and eliminated Benin and Ivory Coast before their semi-final loss.
Saturday’s win underlined Nigeria’s enduring strength in AFCON third-place encounters and provided fitting consolation after narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
