The Super Eagles of Nigeria rounded off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a high, defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties to secure the bronze medal after a goalless third-place play-off at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
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With neither side able to break the deadlock over 90 minutes, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the defining figure of the contest, producing a series of crucial saves in regulation time before denying Mohamed Salah in the penalty shoot-out to swing the balance Nigeria’s way.
Nigeria began brightly and created the first real chance in the 14th minute when Akor Adams powered through the Egyptian defence, but his deflected effort was comfortably gathered by Mohamed Shobeir.
Egypt’s response was swift, with Salah dropping deep to orchestrate attacks, yet Nwabali was alert in the 18th minute to rush off his line and snuff out danger from Trezeguet.
The Super Eagles thought they had taken the lead in the 36th minute when Adams’ header from a Samuel Chukwueze cross deflected into the net, but celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out.
Paul Onuachu was penalised and booked for an elbow on Hamdy Fathy in the build-up, a decision that sparked confusion among the Nigerian players.
The second half mirrored the first, with Nigeria pressing and Egypt probing on the counter. Raphael Onyedika and Moses Simon both tested Shobeir without success, while Emam Ashour fired over for Egypt as chances remained at a premium.
Appeals for penalties at both ends late in the game were dismissed, with VAR backing the referee’s calls as the match drifted inevitably toward a shoot-out.
The drama peaked from the spot. Dele Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick, but Egypt failed to seize the initiative as Salah was denied by Nwabali. Adams restored parity before Omar Marmoush missed, handing Nigeria the momentum.
Goals from Simon and Alex Iwobi kept the Super Eagles in control, and after Ademola Lookman calmly converted the decisive penalty, Nigeria sealed a 4–2 shoot-out victory.
The result marked Nigeria’s ninth AFCON bronze medal and extended Egypt’s long wait for success in third-place play-offs, a fixture they have not won since 1974.
It was the 10th AFCON meeting between the two African giants, but on the night, the spotlight belonged firmly to Nwabali, whose composure and decisive interventions ensured the Super Eagles finished AFCON 2025 on the podium.
