By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria on Sunday clinched the bronze medal at the 2025 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, edging their hosts 4–1 on penalties in the third-place match at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo.
The clash against the Young Pharaohs was a nail-biter, ending in a 1-1 draw after regulation time.
Tension reached a peak as the game went to a penalty shootout, where the Flying Eagles showed exceptional composure to secure a 4-1 victory and a well-deserved place on the podium.
It marked the fourth time the Nigerian team has finished third in the tournament’s history.
Their earlier triumph in a penalty shootout against title holders Senegal in the quarter-finals in Ismailia had already secured seven-time champions Nigeria a ticket to this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile. That composure proved valuable again after Sunday’s regulation time ended with a goal apiece in the classification match.
How the Play Unfolded
Osama Hassan put the Young Pharaohs ahead just 165 seconds into the match, when a long ball from the back by Abdullah Boustenji found Mahmoud Hemida, who turned it into the path of Omar Hassan. He lashed it into the roof of the net, giving goalkeeper Ajia Yakub no chance.
The early goal sparked a determined response from Nigeria, as Clinton Jephta, Precious Benjamin, Sulyman Alabi and Ezekiel Kpangu combined to launch a series of attacks on the Egyptian backline.
The Flying Eagles drew level less than two minutes into the second half, when energetic wing-back Adamu Maigari capitalised on a sloppy touch by Mohamed Saadoun, found substitute Divine Oliseh, who then teed up fellow substitute Bidemi Amole to fire home.
Oliseh, Alabi, Ayuma and substitute Tahir Maigana all had chances to secure a winner for Nigeria, but Egyptian goalkeeper Ahmed Waheb was in inspired form.
Nigeria dodged a bullet in added time of the second half when a prolonged melee in the box saw the ball strike a defender, then the crossbar, and finally graze the upright before going out of play.
However, in the shootout, Waheb had no answer for the composed Nigerian youngsters. Emmanuel Chukwu, Israel Ayuma, Kparobo Arierhi and Tahir Maigana all converted their spot-kicks, while substitute goalkeeper Rufai Abubakar saved two of Egypt’s three efforts.
The Flying Eagles previously secured bronze medals when Nigeria hosted the tournament in 1995, and again in 2009 in Rwanda and 2013 in Algeria.
