The Super Eagles edged Egypt’s Pharaohs 4–2 on penalties on Saturday to clinch the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following a tense third-place playoff at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
After 90 goalless minutes, the contest was settled in a shootout where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali once again emerged as the hero. The shot-stopper saved penalties from Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush to secure Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish at AFCON and preserve their perfect record in bronze-medal matches.
Interim coach rang the changes, naming a rotated starting XI that saw Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman begin on the bench. Nwabali retained his place in goal behind a back four 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 provided width in support of Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.
Nigeria started on the front foot and fashioned the first chance in the 13th minute when Adams’ effort was deflected behind by an Egyptian defender. The early tempo soon gave way to a cautious, evenly balanced contest, with both defences largely on top.
Adams thought he had broken the deadlock in the 36th minute with a thumping header, but celebrations were cut short after a VAR review ruled the goal out for an elbow by Onuachu in the build-up. The striker was shown a yellow card for the offence.
The teams went into the interval 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 disallowed for offside.
Alex Iwobi later replaced Osayi-Samuel as the Super Eagles pushed for a breakthrough, but clear-cut chances remained at a premium and the match drifted inevitably towards penalties.
The shootout began shakily for Nigeria as Dele-Bashiru missed the opening kick, but Nwabali immediately restored parity by denying Salah. Adams converted Nigeria’s next effort before the goalkeeper again proved decisive, saving Marmoush’s attempt. Simon and Iwobi then scored with composure, and although Mahmud Sabir briefly revived Egyptian hopes, Lookman calmly slotted home the decisive penalty to seal victory.
Nigeria had advanced to the playoff after a heartbreaking 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 seeing off Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout stages. Egypt, seven-time champions, progressed from Group B and eliminated Benin and Ivory Coast prior to their semi-final exit.
Saturday’s success underlined Nigeria’s enduring pedigree in AFCON bronze-medal matches and provided welcome consolation after narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
