Nigeria’s Super Eagles wrapped up their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a bronze medal after defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties in a dramatic third-place playoff on Saturday night in Casablanca. The encounter at the Stade Mohammed V finished goalless at the end of regulation time, with both teams struggling to find a breakthrough in a tightly contested affair. With no extra time played, the match went straight to penalties, where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the hero once again. Nwabali produced two crucial saves in the shootout, denying Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush, as Nigeria claimed their ninth third-place finish in AFCON history and continued their impressive record in bronze medal matches. Interim coach shuffled his squad for the playoff, leaving Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman among the substitutes. Nwabali started in goal behind a back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi. In midfield, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru partnered Raphael Onyedika, while Moses Simon captained the side from the wing alongside Samuel Chukwueze. Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams led the attack. Nigeria showed early intent and nearly took the lead in the 13th minute when Adams’ shot was deflected wide by an Egyptian defender. The tempo soon dropped, however, with both sides cancelling each other out in midfield and limiting clear-cut chances. The Super Eagles thought they had broken the deadlock in the 36th minute after Adams nodded home a powerful header, but the goal was overturned following a VAR check that ruled Paul Onuachu had fouled a defender in the build-up. Onuachu was booked for the incident. The teams went into halftime still level, and Lookman was introduced at the start of the second half. He made an immediate impact by putting the ball in the net shortly after the restart, only for the assistant referee’s flag to rule the effort offside. As the game wore on, Nigeria pushed for a winner, with Alex Iwobi coming on for Osayi-Samuel to add creativity. Despite their efforts, chances remained scarce, and the final whistle confirmed penalties would decide the outcome. The shootout began nervously for Nigeria when Dele-Bashiru missed the opening kick, but Nwabali quickly turned the tide by saving Salah’s attempt. Adams converted his penalty before the Nigerian goalkeeper denied Marmoush to give the Eagles the advantage. Simon and Iwobi calmly dispatched their kicks, and although Mahmud Sabir scored for Egypt, Lookman stepped up to convert the decisive penalty and seal victory. Nigeria had dropped into the playoff after suffering a painful semi-final defeat to tournament hosts Morocco on penalties, while Egypt reached the match following a narrow 1-0 loss to Senegal in the last four. The Super Eagles topped Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda before overcoming Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout rounds. Egypt, seven-time AFCON champions, advanced from Group B and eliminated Benin and Ivory Coast prior to their semi-final exit. Saturday’s win brought Nigeria’s AFCON journey to a positive close, offering consolation after missing out on a place in the final and underlining their consistency on the continental stage.
