The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging Egypt 4–2 on penalties in Saturday’s third-place play-off at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca.
The contest ended goalless after regulation time, with Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerging as the hero in the shootout. He saved spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush to hand the Eagles their ninth third-place finish at the tournament and preserve their flawless record in AFCON bronze-medal matches.
Nigeria’s interim coach opted for a rotated starting line-up, leaving key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman on the bench. Nwabali started in goal behind a back line of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika marshalled the midfield, while captain Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze flanked Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams in attack.
The Super Eagles made the brighter start and fashioned the first real chance in the 13th minute, when Adams’ effort was deflected for a corner. Both teams, however, soon settled into a cautious battle dominated by defensive discipline.
Adams thought he had broken the deadlock in the 36th minute with a firm header, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review showed Onuachu had fouled an Egyptian defender in the build-up. The striker was booked, and the teams went into the break level.
Lookman replaced Onuachu at the start of the second half and quickly found the net, only for his effort to be disallowed for offside. Nigeria continued to probe, with Alex Iwobi later introduced as the Eagles searched for a breakthrough, but clear chances remained few and far between.
With the deadlock unbroken after 90 minutes, the match was decided from the penalty spot. Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick, but Nwabali kept the Eagles alive by saving Salah’s attempt. Adams converted Nigeria’s next effort before Nwabali again denied Marmoush. Simon and Iwobi then scored confidently, and although Egypt’s Mahmud Sabir reduced the deficit, Lookman calmly converted the decisive penalty to seal victory.
Nigeria reached the play-off after losing to hosts Morocco on penalties in the semi-finals, while Egypt were edged 1–0 by Senegal in the last four. The bronze-medal triumph provided a fitting consolation for the Super Eagles after an impressive AFCON campaign that fell just short of a place in the final.
