By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Egypt’s Pharaohs 4–2 on penalties on Saturday to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following a tense third-place playoff at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
The contest ended goalless after regulation time, with both teams locked in a closely fought battle that produced few clear-cut chances. The deadlock forced the match into a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali once again proved decisive, saving spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush to hand Nigeria victory.
The win secured Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish in AFCON history and maintained the Super Eagles’ flawless record in bronze-medal matches at the continental tournament.
Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen named a rotated starting XI, leaving Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman on the bench. Nwabali retained his place in goal behind a defence of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika anchored midfield, while captain Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze operated on the flanks behind forwards Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.
Nigeria made a positive start and created the first opening in the 13th minute when Adams’ effort was deflected behind by an Egyptian defender. Both sides then settled into a cautious rhythm as the match became increasingly tight.
Adams appeared to have given Nigeria the lead in the 36th minute with a powerful header, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review that showed Onuachu had elbowed a defender in the build-up. The striker was booked for the infringement.
The teams went into the interval still level, and Lookman replaced Onuachu at the start of the second half. The Atalanta forward found the net moments 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 breakthrough, but clear chances remained scarce and the match ended goalless at the end of regulation time.
In the shootout, Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick, but Nwabali kept the scores level by saving Salah’s effort.
Adams converted confidently before the goalkeeper denied Marmoush’s attempt. Simon and Iwobi both scored, and although Mahmud Sabir pulled one back for Egypt, Lookman calmly dispatched the decisive kick to seal Nigeria’s victory.
Nigeria reached the third-place playoff after a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties, while Egypt had suffered a 1–0 loss to Senegal in their last-four encounter.
The Super Eagles topped Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda before eliminating Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout stages, while seven-time champions Egypt advanced from Group B before bowing out in the semi-finals.
