Nigeria defeat Egypt to secure third place at AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Super Eagles ended their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign on a winning note, defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw to claim the tournament’s third-place bronze medal on Saturday night in Casablanca.
In a contest defined by discipline, physical intensity, and fine margins, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the decisive figure, producing two crucial saves in the shootout, including a high-profile stop against Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah. The result confirmed Nigeria’s reputation as one of the most consistent performers in AFCON history.
The win also marked Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, further underlining the Super Eagles’ enduring presence at the latter stages of the continent’s premier football tournament.
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The bronze-medal playoff at the Stade Mohammed V was never likely to be an open affair. Both Nigeria and Egypt entered the match nursing the disappointment of semi-final exits and placed a premium on defensive structure rather than attacking risk.
Nigeria showed greater intent in the early exchanges, pressing high and attempting to exploit Egypt’s wide areas. The Super Eagles came closest to breaking the deadlock just before halftime when Paul Onuachu bundled the ball into the net following a delivery involving Akor Adams. However, a VAR review ruled the goal out, maintaining the stalemate.
Egypt responded after the interval with more controlled possession, using Salah’s movement and experience to probe Nigeria’s defensive shape. Despite that, clear-cut chances remained rare, as both backlines stayed compact and goalkeepers were rarely tested in open play.
With neither side able to find a breakthrough in regulation time, the match ended 0–0, sending the contest straight to penalties.
Nwabali takes centre stage
The shootout initially tilted in Egypt’s favour when Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick. But that moment proved to be a turning point rather than a setback.
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Stanley Nwabali responded immediately, saving Egypt’s first two penalties and instantly swinging momentum back toward the Super Eagles. His save against Mohamed Salah, one of Africa’s most prolific forwards, drew loud reactions from Nigerian supporters inside the stadium and watching across the continent.
Nigeria’s remaining penalty takers showed composure under pressure, converting their efforts with authority. Ademola Lookman stepped up for the decisive kick and calmly sent the Egyptian goalkeeper the wrong way to seal the victory.
Perfect Record in AFCON Third-Place Matches
The result preserved Nigeria’s perfect record in AFCON third-place playoffs, a statistic that reflects the team’s ability to regroup after near-misses at the final hurdle.
While the Super Eagles fell short of reaching the final, finishing third offered a measure of redemption and reinforced the squad’s depth, resilience, and competitive mentality. It also provided a positive conclusion to a tournament that featured strong defensive performances and individual standouts across the squad.
For Egypt, the loss was a frustrating end to a campaign that promised more, but once again highlighted how fine the margins can be at the highest level of African football.
SportsLigue