Casablanca, Morocco – In a tense, cagey affair that delivered no goals across 120 minutes but exploded in the penalty shootout, Nigeria clinched the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-2 victory on penalties over Egypt in the third-place playoff at Stade Mohammed V.
The Super Eagles, still stinging from their semi-final defeat, showed remarkable resilience to extend their extraordinary unbeaten streak in AFCON third-place matches to nine consecutive victories. For Egypt, the defeat marked yet another heartbreaking chapter, as the Pharaohs remain winless in this fixture since 1974 – their seventh appearance without success.
The match itself was a tactical chess battle between two proud footballing nations desperate to end their campaigns on a high note. Both sides had endured semi-final heartbreak earlier in the week – Nigeria falling narrowly to the eventual finalists, while Egypt were edged out by Senegal. Caution dominated, with neither team willing to overcommit and risk further pain.
Nigeria, without suspended centre-back Calvin Bassey and with talismanic striker Victor Osimhen surprisingly left on the bench for the entire match, leaned heavily on their defensive organisation and quick transitions. Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze stretched the Egyptian backline, while Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka provided steel in midfield.
Egypt, led by the evergreen Mohamed Salah, created the clearer chances in normal time. Salah forced a sharp save from Stanley Nwabali in the first half, and Omar Marmoush headed just wide from a pinpoint cross. Yet Nigeria’s rearguard, marshalled superbly by Semi Ajayi and William Troost-Ekong, stood firm, ensuring the game remained scoreless through extra time.
The drama finally arrived in the shootout. Egypt blinked first when Nwabali dove brilliantly to his left to deny Salah, sending the Nigerian bench into raptures. The Super Eagles converted confidently through Kelechi Iheanacho, Lookman, and others, but Marmoush’s miss sealed Egypt’s fate. Lookman stepped up last and coolly slotted home the winner, sparking wild celebrations as Nigeria secured their first AFCON medal since 2019.
Nwabali, named man of the match, reflected afterwards: “This is for the team and the nation. We came here to win something, and bronze is better than going home empty-handed.” Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen praised his side’s mental strength: “We showed character. Missing key players like Bassey and not using Osimhen didn’t stop us – everyone stepped up.”
For Egypt, the pain was palpable. Rui Vitória’s side dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge needed in big moments. Salah, visibly dejected, now turns his focus to Liverpool duties and the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The Pharaohs will rue another near-miss in a tournament where they arrived as one of the favourites.
Nigeria’s bronze medal reaffirms their status as one of Africa’s elite, with a proud record of never finishing lower than fourth when reaching the semi-finals in recent decades. As the Super Eagles head home, the future looks bright under new permanent management and with stars like Osimhen, Lookman, and Nwabali in their prime.
In a tournament full of surprises, Nigeria’s penalty triumph provided the perfect redemption story – proof that the Super Eagles always find a way to soar when the pressure is greatest.
