The Super Eagles overcame Egypt’s Pharaohs 4-2 on penalties on Saturday to secure the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following a tense third-place playoff at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
After a goalless 90 minutes, the match went to a shootout, where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali proved decisive, saving penalties from Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush. His heroics handed Nigeria their ninth AFCON third-place finish and maintained their perfect record in the fixture.
Interim coach Eric Chelle fielded a rotated side, with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman starting on the bench. Nwabali remained in goal behind a defence of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi, and Bruno Onyemaechi. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika controlled the midfield, while captain Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze operated on the wings behind Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.
Nigeria started strongly, with Adams testing the Egyptian defence in the 13th minute, though the effort was blocked. The match then settled into a tight, cagey contest, with both defences dominating play.
Adams seemed to give the Eagles the lead in the 36th minute with a powerful header, but VAR ruled the goal out after Onuachu was shown to have elbowed a defender in the buildup, earning a booking.
At the start of the second half, Lookman replaced Onuachu and briefly put the ball in the net, only for the effort to be ruled offside. Alex Iwobi also came on for Osayi-Samuel as Nigeria sought a breakthrough, but clear chances remained limited, and the game ended 0-0.
In the shootout, Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s first penalty, but Nwabali saved Salah’s strike to keep the scores level. Adams converted next, followed by a save against Marmoush. Simon and Iwobi scored calmly, and after Mahmud Sabir reduced Egypt’s deficit, Lookman delivered the decisive kick to seal victory.
Nigeria had reached the playoff after a heartbreaking semi-final loss to hosts Morocco on penalties, while Egypt fell 1-0 to Senegal in their semi-final clash.
The Eagles topped Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, before defeating Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout rounds. Egypt, seven-time champions, advanced from Group B and eliminated Benin and Ivory Coast before their semi-final exit.
Saturday’s win extended Nigeria’s dominance in AFCON third-place matches and offered a strong consolation after missing out on the final.
