AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Beat Egypt On Penalties To Clinch Third-Place Finish
Nigeria’s Super Eagles defeated Egypt 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 in Casablanca, Morocco.
The encounter ended goalless after regulation time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali once again emerged as the hero. The shot-stopper saved spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush, handing Nigeria their ninth third-place finish in AFCON history and extending their flawless record in bronze medal matches.
Interim coach fielded a rotated lineup, with key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman starting from the bench. Nwabali retained his place in goal, shielded by a backline of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika anchored the midfield, while captain Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze operated out wide behind a forward pairing of Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.
Nigeria started on the front foot and created the first clear chance in the 13th minute when Adams’ strike was deflected behind for a corner. The game then settled into a cagey contest, with both defences largely neutralising attacking threats.
The Super Eagles thought they had taken the lead in the 36th minute when Adams powered in a header, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review which showed Onuachu had committed a foul in the build-up. The striker was subsequently booked.
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The teams went into the interval still deadlocked, and Lookman replaced Onuachu at the start of the second half. The Atalanta winger found the net shortly after coming on, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria introduced Alex Iwobi later in the half in search of a breakthrough, yet clear-cut chances remained limited and the match ended scoreless after 90 minutes.
In the penalty shootout, Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick, but Nwabali immediately restored parity by denying Salah. Adams converted Nigeria’s second effort before Marmoush also saw his attempt saved by the Nigerian goalkeeper. Moses Simon and Iwobi both scored confidently, and although Mahmud Sabir briefly reduced the deficit for Egypt, Lookman calmly converted the decisive kick to seal Nigeria’s victory.
The Super Eagles had advanced to the third-place playoff after a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties, while Egypt were edged 1–0 by Senegal in the other semi-final.
Nigeria topped Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, before overcoming Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout stages. Egypt, seven-time AFCON champions, progressed from Group B and defeated Benin and Ivory Coast en route to the last four.
Saturday’s win provided a measure of consolation for Nigeria after narrowly missing out on the final, reaffirming the Super Eagles’ enduring pedigree on the continental stage.