Nigeria’s Super Eagles ended their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament on a high note on Saturday, defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties to secure the bronze medal following a tense third-place playoff at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca.
The encounter finished goalless after regulation time, with both sides cancelling each other out in a tightly contested affair. The deadlock was eventually broken in the penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as Nigeria’s hero, saving spot-kicks from Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush.
Interim coach opted for a rotated starting XI, leaving key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman on the bench. Nwabali manned the goal, protected by a back line of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika held midfield duties, while Moses Simon captained the side from the wing alongside Samuel Chukwueze, supporting forwards Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.
Nigeria made a positive start and fashioned the game’s first chance in the 13th minute when Adams forced a deflection from an Egyptian defender. The Super Eagles thought they had taken the lead in the 36th minute after Adams headed home, but VAR intervention ruled out the goal for an infringement by Onuachu in the build-up, resulting in a booking for the striker.
Both teams went into the interval still searching for a breakthrough. Lookman replaced Onuachu at the start of the second half and quickly made an impact, finding the net only for his effort to be chalked off for offside. Despite further changes, including the introduction of Alex Iwobi, clear-cut chances remained limited as the match drifted towards penalties.
The shootout began nervously for Nigeria when Dele-Bashiru missed the opening kick, but Nwabali’s save from Salah immediately swung momentum in the Eagles’ favour. Adams, Simon and Iwobi all converted confidently, while Nwabali’s second save, this time from Marmoush, proved decisive. Although Egypt’s Mahmud Sabir scored to keep hopes alive, Lookman calmly dispatched the final kick to seal victory.
The win marked Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and preserved their flawless record in bronze medal matches. It also offered some consolation after their semi-final heartbreak against hosts Morocco, who edged them out on penalties. Egypt, meanwhile, had suffered a narrow semi-final defeat to Senegal.
Nigeria’s AFCON journey saw them dominate Group C before overcoming Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout stages. Saturday’s success underlined their resilience and capped a tournament campaign that once again confirmed the Super Eagles as one of Africa’s most consistent footballing forces.
