RismadarVoice Reporters
January 17, 2026
The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Egypt’s Pharaohs 4–2 on penalties on Saturday to secure the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following a tense third-place playoff at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca.
The encounter ended goalless after 90 minutes, forcing a penalty shootout in which goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali once again emerged as the hero, saving spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush.
The victory handed Nigeria a ninth third-place finish in AFCON history, extending the country’s perfect record in bronze-medal matches.
Interim coach opted for a rotated starting line-up, leaving key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman on the bench.
Nwabali kept 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 supported Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams in attack.
Nigeria started brightly, created the first clear opening in the 13th minute when Adams’ effort was deflected for a corner.
The match then settled into a cagey contest, with both defences largely on top.
Adams thought he had broken the deadlock in the 36th minute with a powerful header, but the goal was overturned following a VAR review that showed Onuachu had fouled an Egyptian defender in the build-up. Onuachu was booked for the infringement.
The sides went into the break level, Lookman replaced Onuachu at the start of the second half.
The Atalanta forward had the ball in the net shortly after the restart, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Alex Iwobi later came on for Osayi-Samuel as Nigeria pushed for a breakthrough, but clear chances remained limited and the match headed to penalties after regulation time ended in stalemate.
In the shootout, Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick, but Nwabali’s save from Salah immediately swung momentum. Adams converted Nigeria’s next effort before the goalkeeper denied Marmoush.
Simon and Iwobi both scored confidently, and after Mahmud Sabir pulled one back for Egypt, Lookman stepped up to convert the decisive penalty.
Nigeria reached the playoff after a narrow semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties, while Egypt lost 1–0 to Senegal in the last four.
The Super Eagles topped Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, before defeating Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout rounds.
Egypt, seven-time champions, advanced from Group B and eliminated Benin and Ivory Coast prior to their semi-final exit.
Saturday’s win capped Nigeria’s campaign on a positive note, offering consolation after narrowly missing out on a place in the final, underlining the Super Eagles’ enduring strength in AFCON bronze-medal encounters.
