Nigeria and Egypt will renew one of Africa’s most storied rivalries when they clash in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 third-place play-off on tody at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT).
Nigeria are chasing a record ninth AFCON bronze medal, while Egypt—seven-time champions—have previously finished third on three occasions.
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The encounter marks the 10th meeting between the two sides at the Africa Cup of Nations and the 20th overall.
Head-to-Head Record
Overall Meetings
Nigeria: P20 W8 D6 L6 | GF 29 GA 24 | GD +5
Egypt: P20 W6 D6 L8 | GF 24 GA 29 | GD -5
AFCON Meetings Only
Nigeria: P9 W5 D2 L2 | GF 12 GA 13
Egypt: P9 W2 D2 L5 | GF 13 GA 12
Past AFCON Meetings
1963 (Group Stage):
Egypt 6–3 Nigeria
1976 (Second Group Stage): Nigeria 3–2 Egypt
1980 (Group Stage): Nigeria 1–0 Egypt
1984 (Semi-final): Nigeria 2–2 Egypt (Nigeria won on penalties)
1988 (Group Stage): Nigeria 0–0 Egypt
1990 (Group Stage): Nigeria 1–0 Egypt
1994 (Group Stage): Nigeria 0–0 Egypt
2010 (Group Stage): Egypt 3–1 Nigeria
2021 (Group Stage): Nigeria 1–0 Egypt
This will be their second AFCON meeting in Morocco, following the 1988 group-stage draw.
Of their nine AFCON encounters, eight have come at group-stage level, with the lone knockout meeting being the 1984 semi-final.
Recent Meetings
Nigeria won their two AFCON-related meetings prior to Egypt’s most recent victory—both by 1–0 scorelines—in a 2019 friendly in Asaba and the 2021 AFCON group match.
Egypt, however, claimed the latest encounter, a friendly played on 16 December 2025, winning 2–1.
Third Place Play-off History
Nigeria and Egypt will contest the 32nd AFCON third place play-off.
Total matches played: 31
Total goals scored: 87 (average 2.85 per match)
Both teams scored: 13 matches
Decided on penalties: 5 occasions
The biggest win in third-place play-off history was Egypt’s 4–0 victory over Congo in 1974. Only the 2015 and 2023 play-offs ended goalless.
Nigeria: Key Statistics
Eliminated by hosts Morocco in the semi-finals after a 0–0 draw and penalty shoot-out defeat
Scored 14 goals at the tournament—their highest tally in a single AFCON edition
Had scored in 12 successive AFCON matches before the semi-final
On a 357-minute run without conceding a goal, having kept three consecutive clean sheets
Contesting a third-place match for the eighth time and have won all seven previous matches
None of their third-place matches have gone to penalties
Have finished in the AFCON top three 16 times, more than any other nation
Victory would be their 64th AFCON win, drawing level with Egypt
Stanley Nwabali made five saves in the semi-final
Calvin Bassey completed 102 passes—the highest by any player at the tournament
Egypt: Key Statistics
Eliminated after a 1–0 semi-final defeat to Senegal
Appearing in a third-place play-off for the sixth time
Have won three and lost two previous third-place matches
All previous third-place matches involving Egypt produced a winner
Have conceded five goals at the tournament
Failed to register a shot on target in 90 minutes of the semi-final
Have used 26 players at the tournament
Mohamed Salah has created 12 chances and has 11 AFCON goals, closing in on Hassan El-Shazly’s national record
What’s at Stake?
With Nigeria seeking to extend their perfect third-place play-off record and Egypt aiming to add another bronze finish to their decorated AFCON history, Friday’s encounter promises a fiercely contested battle between two continental heavyweights—one more chapter in a rivalry that has shaped African football for over six decades.
