Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday after edging past Egypt’s Pharaohs 4–2 on penalties in a tense playoff clash at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
The encounter ended 0–0 after regulation time, with neither side able to break the deadlock over 90 minutes. The match was ultimately decided from the spot, where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the hero once again, denying Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush to seal Nigeria’s ninth AFCON bronze medal and preserve their flawless record in third-place matches.
Interim head coach opted for a rotated starting lineup, leaving key forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman on the bench. Nwabali started in goal behind a back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru partnered Raphael Onyedika in midfield, while captain Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze supported Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams in attack.
Nigeria started on the front foot and fashioned the first chance of the game in the 13th minute when Adams’ shot was deflected out for a corner. The game then settled into a cautious pattern as both teams prioritised defensive solidity.
Adams thought he had put the Super Eagles ahead in the 36th minute with a thumping header, but VAR intervened to rule out the goal after Onuachu was judged to have fouled an Egyptian defender in the buildup. The striker was subsequently booked.
The second half saw Lookman introduced for Onuachu, and the Atalanta winger wasted little time in finding the net, only for his effort to be chalked off for offside. Alex Iwobi later replaced Osayi-Samuel as Nigeria pushed for a winner, but clear chances remained limited and the match proceeded to penalties.
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The shootout began with Dele-Bashiru missing Nigeria’s first attempt, but Nwabali’s save from Salah’s kick levelled matters. Adams converted his effort before the goalkeeper denied Marmoush. Moses Simon and Iwobi then kept their composure from the spot, and although Mahmud Sabir scored for Egypt, Lookman calmly dispatched the final kick to secure victory for Nigeria.
The Super Eagles had reached the third-place playoff following a narrow semi-final defeat to host nation Morocco on penalties, while Egypt were edged out 1–0 by Senegal in the last four.
Nigeria’s bronze medal finish provides a measure of consolation after falling short of the final, rounding off a tournament in which they topped their group and navigated a challenging knockout path to once again finish on the AFCON podium.