Match Report: Nigeria Secures Bronze at AFCON 2025

Final Score: Nigeria 0-0 Egypt (Nigeria wins 4-2 on penalties)

Venue: Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, Morocco

Date: January 17, 2026

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have once again cemented their status as the masters of the third-place playoff, defeating the Pharaohs of Egypt 4-2 on penalties to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This victory marks Nigeria's ninth third-place finish in the tournament's history, maintaining their perfect record of never having lost a bronze-medal match.

Match Highlights

First Half: Tactical Deadlock

The game began with a cagey atmosphere as both sides rotated their squads following grueling semi-final defeats.

• 13th Minute: Akor Adams had the first real opening for Nigeria, but his effort was deflected wide.

• 36th Minute: VAR Drama. Akor Adams appeared to give Nigeria the lead with a powerful header. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed because Paul Onuachu was adjudged to have fouled an Egyptian defender in the build-up.

• Egypt's Threat: Mohamed Salah remained a constant danger, forcing Stanley Nwabali into a sharp save after a clever flick from a Mohamed Hany cross.

Second Half: Missed Opportunities

The intensity picked up in the second period, though clinical finishing remained elusive.

• 46th Minute: Substitute Ademola Lookman thought he had scored immediately after the restart, but his clinical finish was ruled out for offside.

• Control: Nigeria dominated possession, with Raphael Onyedika and Moses Simon testing Egypt’s goalkeeper Oufa Shobeir from distance.

• Full Time: Despite late pressure from both sides, the 90 minutes ended scoreless, leading the match directly to a penalty shootout.

The Penalty Shootout

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the hero for the Super Eagles, saving two crucial spot-kicks.

Shooter

Team

Result

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Nigeria

Saved (Shobeir)

Mohamed Salah

Egypt

Saved (Nwabali)

Akor Adams

Nigeria

Scored

Omar Marmoush

Egypt

Saved (Nwabali)

Moses Simon

Nigeria

Scored

Rami Rabia

Egypt

Scored

Alex Iwobi

Nigeria

Scored

Mahmoud Saber

Egypt

Scored

Ademola Lookman

Nigeria

Scored (Deciding Goal)

Key Stats & Facts

• Bronze Specialists: Nigeria has now won 9 AFCON bronze medals (1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2019, 2025).

• Clean Sheet: Stanley Nwabali’s heroics earned him the Man of the Match award.

• History: This was the 10th AFCON meeting between these two giants, with Nigeria extending their head-to-head lead.

Starting Lineups

Nigeria (4-3-3): Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ogbu, Ajayi, Onyemaechi; Dele-Bashiru, Onyedika, Moses Simon (C); Chukwueze, Onuachu, Akor Adams.

(Subs used: Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi)

Egypt (4-3-3): Shobeir; Hany, Sobhi, Rabia, Hamdy; Ashour, Fathy, Attia; Mohamed Salah (C), Mostafa Mohamed, Trezeguet.