Nigeria ended their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a winning note after edging Egypt 4-2 on penalties to secure the bronze medal in Saturday’s third-place playoff in Casablanca.
The clash at the Stade Mohammed V produced few clear chances over 90 minutes, with both teams locked in a disciplined, tactical battle that finished goalless. With no extra time, the contest went straight to penalties, where Stanley Nwabali once again delivered a decisive performance for the Super Eagles.
The Nigerian goalkeeper saved spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush, helping Nigeria record their ninth third-place finish in AFCON history and extend their impressive record in bronze medal matches.
Nigeria lined up with a reshuffled side, as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were left on the bench at the start. Nwabali kept his place in goal, protected by Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika featured in midfield, while captain Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze provided width behind Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.
The Super Eagles made a positive start and went close in the 13th minute when Adams’ effort was deflected wide. As the half progressed, the tempo slowed and both defences stayed on top.
Adams thought he had opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a thumping header, but VAR intervened and ruled out the goal for a foul by Onuachu in the build-up. The striker was cautioned, and the teams went into halftime level.
Lookman replaced Onuachu at the break and appeared to make an instant impact by finding the net shortly after the restart, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Nigeria continued to probe, with Alex Iwobi later introduced in search of a breakthrough, but clear chances remained limited.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, penalties decided the outcome. Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s first kick, but Nwabali kept the scores level by saving Salah’s effort. Adams converted before the goalkeeper denied Marmoush. Simon and Iwobi both scored, and although Mahmud Sabir pulled one back for Egypt, Lookman calmly slotted home the decisive kick.
Nigeria had dropped into the playoff after losing a dramatic semi-final to hosts Morocco on penalties, while Egypt arrived following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Senegal.
The Super Eagles had earlier dominated Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda before eliminating Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout stages. Egypt progressed from Group B and knocked out Benin and Ivory Coast before their semi-final exit.
The victory provided consolation for Nigeria after missing out on the final and ensured they ended the tournament with silverware.
