Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties in a tense playoff on Saturday at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
The match ended goalless after 90 minutes, with Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerging as the hero in the shootout. He saved spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush to hand the Eagles their ninth AFCON bronze medal and preserve their flawless record in third-place matches.
Interim coach fielded a rotated lineup, leaving Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman on the bench at kickoff. Nwabali started in goal behind a back line of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika marshalled the midfield, while Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze provided width in support of Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.
Nigeria made the brighter start and fashioned the first chance in the 13th minute, when Adams’ effort was deflected wide. The game then settled into a tight, tactical contest with few clear openings.
Adams thought he had broken the deadlock in the 36th minute with a powerful header, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review ruled that Onuachu had fouled a defender in the build-up. Onuachu was subsequently booked.
Ademola Lookman replaced Onuachu at halftime and nearly made an immediate impact, finding the net soon after the restart, only for his effort to be chalked off for offside.
Alex Iwobi later came on for Osayi-Samuel as Nigeria pushed for a winner, but both sides remained resolute in defence, forcing the match into penalties at the end of regulation time.
In the shootout, Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s first kick, but Nwabali saved Salah’s attempt to keep the contest level. Adams converted Nigeria’s second kick before the goalkeeper denied Marmoush. Simon and Iwobi scored with confidence, and after Mahmud Sabir pulled one back for Egypt, Lookman converted the decisive penalty to seal victory.
Nigeria had reached the playoff following a narrow semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties, while Egypt were edged 1-0 by Senegal in the last four.
The Super Eagles topped Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda before overcoming Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout stages. Egypt, seven-time champions, advanced from Group B and knocked out Benin and Ivory Coast before their semi-final exit.
The victory offered Nigeria consolation after missing out on the final and reinforced their strong tradition in AFCON third-place matches.
